Category Archives: Massachusetts

Massachusetts is never going to win congeniality or weather accolades. If these are what matter most then ignore this survey’s findings since neither were evaluated by 24/7  in a report they published last week that looked at the poverty rates, education and life expectancy to determine the quality of life in each state.

Here is a quick recap on why the Bay State a.k.a. Massachusetts took the top spot, according to the 24/7 Wall St. report:

• More than 2 out of 5 adults have at least a bachelor’s degree: The highest ratio of any state. Theoretically, the high level of education helps lower the poverty rate.
• The poverty rate is 11.5%, which is lower than the U.S. average.
• Massachusetts residents’ life expectancy at birth is 80.2 year old, the fifth highest in the nation, signifying a healthy state.

The top five best states to live in according to the list are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Minnesota and New Jersey. The lowest ranked states were Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Kentucky.  Find this interesting? Click here to read the full report.

The MSPCA is hoping to raise $50,000 by selling calendars of shirtless Massachusetts firemen posing with their own rescue pooches, or adoptable dogs and cats. The 2017 Massachusetts Firefighter Calendar (featuring “12 of the Bay State’s hottest firemen,” according to the MSPCA) is for sale online for $20.

Considering the price point and how some of the money goes to such a worthy charity this seems like a great gift for any upcoming Yankee Swaps you may be participating this holiday season.

Earlier this week Massachusetts’ Attorney General, Maura Healy, announced the State would launch a new hotline to report harassment and intimidation of minority groups. Residents are encouraged to call 1-800-994-3228 or fill out a civil rights complaint form online if they witness or experience bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence against racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women, immigrants and lesbian, gay and transgender individuals.

Healey, an openly gay Democrat, said she’s launching the hotline after reports that people across the country have been targeted and harassed since the election of Donald Trump as president.

Earlier this month the Boston Business Journal had an excellent article addressing the antiquated or to use the BBJ’s lingo, “Puritanical”, approach to regulating liquor licenses in Massachusetts.  Apparently even our Governor agrees because Baker has filed legislation as part of a municipal modernization bill to allow cities and towns set their own quota for restaurants licensed to serve alcohol. That portion of the governor’s bill (H 3906) was pending before the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government when I wrote this.

Although I’m not hopeful, I’d love to see this antiquated process revamped. I don’t know if it is true, but I was once told that our liquor licensing process is the result of Hugh O’Brien being sworn in as Boston’s first Irish mayor back in 1895. As the story goes, shortly after his swearing in the Brahmin community used their influence to have legislation passed so the city of Boston couldn’t turn into a giant pub (dare to dream) and would give the authority of granting liquor licenses to the State House where Protestants still maintained control. I can’t imagine this was true, but as a gay man, I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen senseless, vindictive legislation so I wouldn’t write it off either.

If you’d like to read the BBJ article, which inspired this post, link here.

Take published its premiere issue in September 2015. The new magazine  is filled with stories about people in New England who through their work in visual art, music, design, literature, dance, food, fashion and theater are enriching our community.

Check out this new magazine, which celebrates New England’s cultural heritage and champions the creative economy. You can learn more about this engaging magazine by checking out their online edition at thetakemagazine.com.

If you are over 30 and grew up in New England, you probably remember many of the defunct retail chains that Boston.com posted earlier this week.  I remember or recognize most of them. Do you?

Defunct Department Stores

Gov. Charlie Baker announced this past Thursday that a sales tax holiday will take place the weekend of August 15th. The tax-free holiday suspend the 6.25% sales tax on purchases for the weekend.  Sales tax will remain for any item costing more than $2,500, cigarettes and other big-ticket purchases.  More details here.