Despite Evidence to Contrary, Boston Globe Says MA Economy is 'Generally Improving'

By Dave Pierre (Bio | Archive)
October 17, 2009 - 13:27 ET
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In an October 16, 2009, article in the Boston Globe, staffer Andrea Estes makes the eye-opening assertion that the economy in Massachusetts is "generally improving." Facts and reality suggest otherwise. Consider:

  • In 2009 alone, unemployment in Massachusetts has swelled from 7.4% (Jan. 2009) to 9.3% (Sept. 2009).
  • "[L]ocal aid to cities and towns [is] already down more than $700 million from the level originally approved in the fiscal 2009 budget, which began in July 2008."
  • "[T]ax revenues for the first quarter of the fiscal year came in $212 million lower than expected."
  • Estes' article begins, "As many as 2,000 state jobs could be eliminated, Governor Deval Patrick warned yesterday, unless unions agree to concessions necessary to help close an estimated $600 million budget shortfall that could trigger spending cuts throughout state government."

What's Estes' claim that the Massachusetts economy is "generally improving"? She doesn't tell us.

This past summer, after decades with a 5% sales tax, Massachusetts increased it to 6.25%. Yet there has yet to appear any sign that the increase will help the state's coffers.

From Estes' article:

The disappointing revenues, despite recent tax increases and a generally improving economy, could hurt Patrick as he heads into next year’s reelection campaign. State officials acknowledged that the budget woes could grow when it comes to formulating the budget for the next fiscal year, because there will be no federal stimulus money to help fill any gaps.

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See also: TheMediaReport.com

 


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Quality Assessments

October 17, 2009 - 13:35 ET by cajun2

This kind of article may be a clue as to NYtimes being unable to find a buyer for the BostonGlobe.

I could be wrong, but I

October 17, 2009 - 13:51 ET by BKeyser

I could be wrong, but I find lots of "improvement" in the numbers you cite:

  • Unemployment UP from  7.4% to 9.3%
  • 2000 MORE jobs to be eliminated
  • Sales Tax increase from 5% to 6.25%

These are all bigger numbers. Isn't that improvement? /sarc

Yes in Mass. this is an improvement

October 17, 2009 - 14:26 ET by richb313

Yes in Mass this is an improvement. The higher the sales taxes the more people will buy out of state. The more jobs that are lost the more people leave the state and the higher the unemployment the faster the state coffers are emptied. Now that is an improvement. Once these improvements are complete maybe Mass. can be re-built and the democrats removed from power there permanently. That is an improvement everyone can get behind.. sarc tag

No the sad news is that many good people are having thier lives destroyed in this bad economy and Mass. usually sees these bad things first because of the heavy state govt. and institutional corruption that exists there. One day I hope they can clean up thier act and stop lecturing the rest of the country with thier Holier than thou Attitude.

Hey the Governor of MA is

October 17, 2009 - 14:34 ET by eaglewingz08

Hey the Governor of MA is black which means that you are racist if you claim that he's hurting not helping the economy and/or that it's Romney's fault that the economy is bad if it is in fact bad. Deval is just mopping up the mess that those evil rethuglicans left over. If you're not on Deval's hopey change express you're an evil racist too.

Improving????

October 17, 2009 - 15:38 ET by motherbelt

I do not think it means what you think it means - Inigo Montoya

The Globe's publishers,

October 17, 2009 - 16:59 ET by celator

The Globe's publishers, editors and reporters, Deval Patrick, Obama, Axelnut the  knuckle walker, Rohm, the czars and the rest of these bozos are in the same hypnotic trance they've been in for years.

Reverse what the Globe writes on any subject, and you be closer to the truth.

No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.

Meanwhile

October 17, 2009 - 17:17 ET by jon_torlin

The economic bomb continues to approach critical mass.

From the actions of the Senate, it could explode in a matter of days if the Health Care is passed with all the hidden taxes in it to take effect immediately upon signature of the (non)bill.

If it doesn't pass the Senate, it will explode in a matter of weeks.

Either way, it's going to explode.

-Jon

              

October 18, 2009 - 09:35 ET by jessieH

              The govt. gives our tax money to banks and the auto companies, then wonder why their is no revenue coming in. They cut jobs and destroy lives, all because of their ties to corruption. When no one is working, how can they pay taxes? Let the ones that have the money make up the difference. The banks, the unions, and the ever growing govt. have all the money. Let them pay it. Take away the lifetime paychecks from the govt. Take away the union bonuses. Take back the money from the banks. Stop the money trail to the pockets of our elected servants.