Public Policy Commons^™

A Fact Book On Proposition 2 1/2, Padraig O'Malley

Center for Studies in Policy and the Public Interest Publications

In this age of inflation many tax reduction plans have been proposed throughout the nation. This November Massachusetts voters will vote on Proposition 2 1/2 - a tax reduction proposal sponsored by a coalition of citizens.

This booklet describes the costs and benefits of Proposition 2 1/2 in an objective way, so that you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote. The University of Massachusetts' Center for Studies in Policy and the Public Interest and the Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service believe that when you have access to unbiased information you will make better decisions and participate more …

Reallocation Of Responsibilities And/Or Financing For Selected Municipal Services To The State: A Municipal Finance Alternative, Joseph S. Slavet, Katharine L. Bradbury, Philip I. Moss, Boston Urban Observatory, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Boston Urban Observatory Publications

This report recommends that the administration and/or financing of a selected group of public services be shifted from municipalities to the state government in Massachusetts.

Several criteria are used to identify local functions and local fiscal responsibilities which are more suitable for state than local financing. The first criterion is the efficiency of delivery of the service: for some functions, such as solid waste disposal, technology makes it more costly per capita to provide the service separately through individual municipalities than to operate regionally-based waste disposal facilities. The second criterion is the degree to which residents of the service area …

Municipal Manpower Policies For The City Of Boston: Guidelines For The Seventies, Boston Urban Observatory, University Of Massachusetts Boston

Boston Urban Observatory Publications

This report on municipal manpower in the City of Boston is one of a series of Urban Observatory studies designed to improve the effectiveness of City policies and programs. Focusing on the City's requirements for administrative, professional and technical staff, the study examines current patterns and problems, identifies existing strengths and weaknesses, and offers a number of recommendations aimed at upgrading municipal performance by expanding the cadres of qualified staff. While the findings identify serious deficiencies, they also point to opportunities for effecting substantial change over the next decade. In particular, the study points to the potentially large attrition of …