CommonWealth: Politics, Ideas & Civic Life in Massachusetts

CommonWealth is published quarterly by the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth (MassINC). 18 Tremont St., Suite 1120, Boston, MA 02108. Telephone: 617-742-6800 ext. 109, fax: 617-589-0929. Volume 13, Number 2, Spring 2008.

Founded in 1996, the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth – known as MassINC – is an independent, nonpartisan research and educational institute. MassINC brings together diverse perspectives – including those held by conservatives and liberals, business and labor, advocates and policy makers – to focus on the challenge of achieving the American Dream in Massachusetts.

To pursue our goals, we use independent research, a wide range of public events, and a unique approach to journalism.

MassINC is a new kind of think tank – one that combines the intellectual rigor of academic research with the timeliness and energy needed to get our ideas into the public debate. Headquartered in Boston, MassINC is a tax-exempt, 501(c) 3 organization funded through grants and contributions from individuals and sponsors, which include foundations, businesses, and labor unions representing the full range of viewpoints in our community.

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Preserving power: Secretary of State William Galvin keeps the lid on Massachusetts's historic rehabilitation tax credit program.  By Bruce Mohl

Pump it up: The state's transportation networks are falling apart. New gas tax revenues may be the only way out. By Gabrielle Gurley

Moving the goal posts: The Community Preservation Act, designed to create open space and affordable housing, is being used to pay for sidewalks and artificial turf. By Bruce Mohl

Download CommonWealth Magazine, Summer 2008

PDF format, 9.9MB, 100Pages.

DISCUSSION
66 | CONVERSATION Archon Fung says transparency can be a powerful tool for 21st-century democracy, but only if we get the right information—and know what to do with it. BY MICHAEL JONAS
79 | PERSPECTIVES Planting an urban forest can bring better health and more cohesive neighborhoods. BY CHARLIE LORD
The MBTA is underfunded and overextended. BY TERRY REGAN
89 | CONSIDERED OPINION Massachusetts needs to focus economic development policies on our Gateway Cities.
BY BEN FORMAN AND JOHN SCHNEIDER
95 | REAL TALK Redefining the American Dream BY ALISON LOBRON

Hidden Tax Credit

Tax credits are exploding in popularity in Massachusetts. Over the last several years, state lawmakers have approved tax credits to lure movies and movie stars to the state, to redevelop historic buildings, and most recently to give a boost to life science companies.

The tax credits are having an impact.At least 88 movie productions filed applications for film tax credits through the end of February, according to the state Revenue Department. Numerous historic buildings that otherwise wouldn’t be redeveloped are being returned to the tax rolls. And the new $1 billion life science law is creating a lot of favorable buzz in the industry.

What’s unclear is whether these tax credits represent the best use of state dollars. Supporters usually point to the investments triggered by the tax credits, run these investments through the wash cycle of economic multipliers, and hang the resulting magnificent sum out to dry as a shining economic success story. ...

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