Category: Opinion
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Letter: The Vision for a Homeless Bill of Rights
To the Editor: This is to make a correction on Adam Sennott’s article entitled “Rhode Island Homeless Bill of Rights: Is Massachusetts Next?” that was published on June 29, 2012. The article states, “Along with Senator Tassoni, the bill was put together by John Joyce and Megan Smith, Co-Directors of the Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy…
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Mothers Create Safe Space for Kids in South African Gangland
Gina Ginsburg THE BIG ISSUE SOUTH AFRICA Initially started as a feeding scheme by concerned mothers, the non-profit organisation has branched out and now offers more than 120 children between the ages of three and 18 alternative activities to the social ills that plague their community, such as storytelling, computer literacy, food gardening training, art…
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Thanks, Tim
James Shearer Spare Change News Recently after our 20th anniversary celebration there were some comments uttered about how the creation of Spare Change, or rather the way it was created, was a mistake. These comments were made by those who were either crying over spilt milk or were jealous of our success. Some would say…
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Patrick Signs $32.5 Billion State Budget, Vetoes $32.1 Million in Spending
By Michael Norton STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE JULY 8, 2012…Gov. Deval Patrick on Sunday signed a $32.5 billion state budget that raises state aid for public schools by 4.5 percent and counts on $700 million in health care cost savings to achieve balance. Patrick found only $32.1 million in objectionable spending in the budget crafted…
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Food Stamps Focus of U.S. Deficit Debate
Suzanne Hanney StreetWise Food stamps are at the heart of dramatically different federal budget deficit reduction proposals in the U.S. House and Senate, to the consternation of both recipients and advocates. “Once they start chipping away at the program and try to reduce SNAP [Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program] funding or restrict eligibility or reduce the…
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MBTA BAILOUT PUSHED TO PATRICK’S DESK AMID FLURRY OF CRITICISM
By Andy Metzger STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JUNE 27, 2012……With a new fiscal year set to dawn Sunday and the MBTA’s proposed budget far out of whack, the Legislature on Wednesday approved a bill delivering an emergency bailout, largely by redirecting millions of dollars in auto inspection fees to the agency. The…
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SCANNER OPTION FOR FOOD PRICING QUIETLY CLEARS SENATE
By Michael Norton and Andy Metzger STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, JUNE 25, 2012……With just two senators present, the Senate on Monday morning approved a bill that food stores in Massachusetts have been pressing unsuccessfully for a decade. Under the bill, which has already cleared the House, grocery stores in Massachusetts would no…
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After Sweeps, San Jose Stores Property of Homeless
More evidence that just chasing away the homeless is bad public policy, from the New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/20/us/after-cleanups-san-jose-stores-property-of-homeless.html?_r=1&hp