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Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

MA: Livable Wages/Working Families

Atlantic herring serve as valuable bait for fishermen and lobstermen in Massachusetts, making them  vital to the health of the state's blue economy, which grew 38% between 2009 and 2019. (Adobe Stock)
New England anglers seek greater protections for Atlantic herring stock

Recreational fishermen in New England say commercial trawlers are threatening the survival of smaller businesses relying on a healthy stock of Atlanti…

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The American Federation of Teachers in Amesbury is calling on the School Committee to support an 8.04% increase to ensure level services for students and retain staff and reject an initial 3.16% proposal, which they say would be ">
Proposed Amesbury school budget cuts rally parents, educators

The Amesbury School Committee will hear from educators and parents tonight as they rally to prevent more than $2 million in proposed cuts to their sch…

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New immigrants arriving in Massachusetts can expect to earn a median wage of about $24,000 per year, according to a report by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. (Adobe Stock)
Report: New immigrants adding to MA economy, workforce

A surge of new immigrants in Massachusetts is currently straining the state's emergency shelter system and budget but a new report found they will bri…

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Education Support Professionals are working to lift their pay to achieve a living wage as defined by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Living Wage Calculator, which shows workers require a minimum of $45,000 to get by. (Adobe Stock)<br />
MA public school support staff fight for a living wage

Lawmakers in Massachusetts are considering legislation to ensure Education Support Professionals in public schools earn a living wage. ESP's do it …

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The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who make roughly $60,000 or less get access to tax credits that can add up to over $8,000. (Adobe Stock)
MA agencies make expanded tax credits easier to access

Lawmakers in Massachusetts passed some of the nation's most generous tax credits - and now, help is available to make sure families can take …

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In 34 states, low-income families are taxed at higher rates than everyone else despite having the least ability to pay. Just six states plus D.C., tax low-income families at lower rates, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />
Report: Fair Share Amendment helps improve tax fairness in MA

A new analysis finds that Massachusetts' recently adopted millionaire tax makes the state and local tax system much more equitable. Adopted through …

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The housing crisis also affects renters. The U.S. is currently short more than 7 million homes available to renters with extremely low incomes. Only 33 affordable and available rental homes exist for every 100 of these households, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. (Adobe Stock)
MA lawmakers pitch new investments in affordable housing

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., says the federal government needs to get creative in addressing America's affordable housing crisis. It will …

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Massachusetts had almost 5,000 fewer early educators, on average, in 2021 than before the COVID-19 pandemic, with roughly one in three child-care centers unable to serve their full capacity statewide, according to a report from The Boston Foundation. (Adobe Stock)
MA family child care providers ease shortage, seek greater state backing

Advocates in Massachusetts say increasing the pay of smaller, family child care providers could help ease the shortage and provide economic benefits …

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The cost to attend public colleges in Massachusetts is increasing faster than it is in any other state, while the average graduate in Massachusetts carries more than $33,000 in debt. (Adobe Stock)
Student loan payment restart riddled with errors for MA borrowers

A new report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found the repayment process for federal student loans has been filled with errors…

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healy say MassReconnect could ultimately help more than 1 million people further their education, and will be paid for by revenue from the new ">
Community college faculty in MA demand contract funding

The union representing faculty and staff at Massachusetts's 15 community colleges are demanding a pay raise. They're asking the state legislature …

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Among households with a high school or college student, 44% said they experienced some form of educational disruption due to COVID-19, according to a BestColleges survey. They also responded they were worried about negative impacts on their students' ability to enroll or continue enrollment in college. (Adobe Stock)
Schools aim to prevent second-year college stop-outs

Colleges nationwide are improving services for students to ensure they stay enrolled after the challenging first two years. Administrators say their …

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In Fiscal Year 2022, more than 2,500 union representation petitions were filed with the National Labor Relations Board, a 53% increase from FY 2021. (Adobe Stock)
Labor groups push to end tax breaks for union-busting

New federal legislation would prevent companies from getting a tax break for engaging in what are often illegal union-busting tactics. Labor groups …

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