POLITICS, IDEAS & CIVIC LIFE IN MASSACHUSETTS TAX CREDIT HOME RUN Red Sox top Galvin’s hush-hush subsidy list Transparency in the Information Age Gas hike coming? The urban forest Redef ining the American Dream SUMMER 2008 $5.00 It’s 2008... I must only learn in certain ways, and only between 8am and 3pm, 5 days a week, until I am 18... I must only learn in certain ways, and only between 8am and 3pm, 5 days a week, until I am 18... I must only learn in certain ways, and only between 8am and 3pm, 5 days a week, until I am 18... ...so why does it still feel like 1908? At the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, we realize the need to find dynamic new ways to better educate our citizens. As our focus on underserved learners continues, we are building knowledge about how to dramatically improve educational opportunities and experiences. That’s why we’re re-examining long-held assumptions about when and how students learn through our Time for Learning initiative. We are excited to work with New England education, philanthropic, business and community-based organization leaders, policy makers and others to investigate and develop an approach that expands our notion of time as it pertains to education. For more information on our program areas, grantmaking, and partnership opportunities, visit www.nmefdn.org. 1250 Hancock Street, Suite 205N • Quincy, MA 02169-4331 Tel. 781-348-4200 • Fax 781-348-4299 SUMMER 2008 CommonWealth 1 CommonWealth editor Bruce Mohl [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 105 executive editor Michael Jonas [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 124 managing editor Robert David Sullivan [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 121 staff writer Gabrielle Gurley [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 142 art director Heather Hartshorn contributing writers Mary Carey, Christopher Daly, Dave Denison, Ray Hainer, Richard A. Hogarty, James V. Horrigan, Dan Kennedy, Jeffrey Klineman, REALtalk is a lively series about Neil Miller, Mark Murphy, Laura Pappano, Robert Preer, Phil Primack, B.J. Roche, Ralph Whitehead Jr., what young professionals and Katharine Whittemore washington correspondent Shawn Zeller working adults can do to make a proofreader Jessica Murphy living, raise a family, and build editorial advisors Mickey Edwards, Ed Fouhy, Alex S. Jones, Mary Jo Meisner, Daniel Okrent, Ellen Ruppel Shell, Alan Wolfe stronger communities for us all. publisher Gregory Torres [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 103 Join in the discussion and become sponsorship and advertising Rob Zaccardi one of the more than 1,000 [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 101 circulation Krisela Millios participants involved in RealTalk. [email protected] | 617.742.6800 ext. 145 For information about upcoming RealTalk programs—including our > Full contents, as well as online exclusives, are available at www.massinc.org networking events—log on to www.massinc.org. CommonWealth (ISSN pending) 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 4, Summer 2008. Third Class postage paid at Holliston, MA. To subscribe to CommonWealth, become a Friend of MassINC for $50 per PRESENTED BY: year and receive discounts on MassINC research reports and invitations to MassINC and ONEin3 Boston and MassINC forums and events. Postmaster: Send address changes to Circulation supported by over a dozen Greater Boston Director, MassINC, 18 Tremont St., Suite 1120, Boston, MA 02108. Letters to the civic organizations. editor accepted by e-mail at [email protected]. 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The generosity of our Citizens’ Circle members has a powerful impact on every aspect of our work. We are pleased to extend significant benefits, including invitations to our private Newsmaker series, to those who join with a minimum annual contribution of $1,000. Anonymous (8) Susan & William Elsbree William E. Kelly Hilary Pennington & Brian Bosworth David Abromowitz Wendy Everett Tom Kershaw Finley H. Perry, Jr. Tom & Marsha Alperin Scott D. Farmelant Julie & Mitchell Kertzman Daniel A. Phillips Joseph D. Alviani & Juliette Fay & Bill O’Brien Klarman Family Foundation Jenny Phillips Elizabeth Bell Stengel Fish Family Foundation Richard L. Kobus Diana C. Pisciotta Carol & Howard Anderson David Feinberg Stephen W. Kidder & Judith Malone Michael E. Porter Ronald M. Ansin Grace Fey Deanna Larkin John & Joyce Quelch Marjorie Arons-Barron & Newell Flather Anne & Robert Larner Dr. Mitchell T. Rabkin James Barron Christopher Fox & Ellen Remmer Gloria & Allen Larson John R. 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Murphy, Jr. Gregory Torres & Elizabeth Pattullo Cheryl Cronin Ronald Homer Pamela A. Murray A. Raymond Tye Michael F. Cronin Maria & Raymond Howell Paul Nace & Sally Jackson Tom & Tory Vallely Stephen P.Crosby & Helen R. Strieder Laura Johnson Bruce & Pam Nardella E. Denis Walsh Bob Crowe Philip Johnston Scott A. Nathan Michael D. Webb Sandrine & John Cullinane Jr. Jeffrey Jones Richard Neumeier David C. Weinstein Sally Currier & Saul Pannell Robin & Tripp Jones Fred Newman Robert F. White Thomas G. Davis Sara & Hugh Jones Elizabeth Nichols Michael J. Whouley Richard B. DeWolfe Ronnie & Steve Kanarek Paul C. O’Brien Helene & Grant Wilson Gerard F. Doherty Martin S. Kaplan Joseph O’Donnell Leonard A. Wilson Roger D. Donoghue Dennis J. Kearney Andrew Paul Ellen Zane William & Laura Eaton Michael B. Keating, Esq. Randy Peeler Paul Zintl Philip J. Edmundson Dennis M. Kelleher SUMMER 2008 CommonWealth 3 You don’t see chairman of the board Ann-Ellen Hornidge our doctor. board of directors Gregory Torres, ex officio Tripp Jones Jay Ash Elaine Kamarck David Begelfer Bruce Katz Andrew J. Calamare Paul Mattera You see Neil Chayet William P. McDermott Geri Denterlein Melvin B. Miller Mark Erlich Michael E. Porter your doctor. David H. Feinberg Mark E. Robinson Grace Fey Charles S. Rodgers Robert B. Fraser Tom Trimarco Tom Green Eric Turner C. Jeffrey Grogan David C. Weinstein Harvard Pilgrim is not a building. Harold Hestnes Karyn M. Wilson Joanne Jaxtimer We are not a health center. We are a health plan that lets you choose honorary Mitchell Kertzman, founding chairman your doctor and where to get care. John C. Rennie, in memoriam Wherever you work. Wherever you president Gregory Torres live. Wherever you are. executive vice president John Schneider director of program development Katherine S. McHugh Some products require referrals. director of development Rob Zaccardi To find out more, talk with your research director Dana Ansel employer or visit harvardpilgrim.org. programs & policy associate