Franklin Matters

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

MassDOR: Tax Preparation Video for 2013

What changes in either the Federal or MA taxes could affect how you file for this year? This video from the Mass Dept of Revenue walks through the changes.

The video takes about 23 minutes

MassBudget: the benefits of Early Ed & Care....and the funding cuts

MassBudget		Information.
MassBudget		Participation.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center		Democracy.

The Benefits of Early Education and Care...
and the Cuts to Funding

Early education and care can provide lifelong benefits for young children, and it also helps support the day-to-day needs of working parents.

Two new MassBudget reports examine the positive impact early education and care can have, along with the funding cuts that have affected these programs. The first paper, "Declines in Spending on Early Education and Care in Massachusetts," tracks trends in funding since welfare reform in the mid-1990s and finds that:

Under pressure from the recession and the large revenue losses that followed the tax cuts of the late 1990s and early 2000s, spending on early education and care has fallen by 25% since 2001 (adjusted for inflation)

When we combine spending for early education and care with the other major source of support for lower-income parents--cash assistance--we find a $1 billion decline since 1995 (adjusted for economic growth)

The second paper, "Economic Gains from Early Education and Care" is authored by PERI economist and UMass professor Arthur MacEwan. It documents the large economic benefits of high quality early education and care. This includes both the contribution of parents who could not work without the support of reliable child care and also the long-term gains from kids whose life prospects are improved by early education. As MacEwan puts it:

"High quality programs can enhance children's cognitive and social development, which will shape their well-being throughout their lives. The higher salaries that the children then obtain later in life, the greater economic contribution to society that these salaries tend to reflect, and the higher resulting tax payments are important elements of the gains that have been observed. There are, however, many other indirect economic gains: lower incidences of grade retention and special education; elevated high school graduation rates and college-going rates; reduced reliance on social support programs; better health outcomes; and less engagement with the criminal justice system."

Read DECLINES IN SPENDING ON EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE IN MASSACHUSETTS

Read ECONOMIC GAINS FROM EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts.

MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER

15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700

BOSTON, MA 02108



Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center \| 15 Court Square \| Suite 700 \| Boston \| MA \| 02108

Upcoming Event: Solar Anniversary Celebration

Please join us for a celebration to mark the 1-year anniversary of the First Unitarian Society in Franklin solar electric system. Come find out how much energy was produced right on our roof-top and how that translates into environmental impact and financial benefit.

Refreshments and general information on solar energy will also be available.

Feb 24th, 12-1pm

FUSF

262 Chestnut Street

Franklin, MA 02038

Ryan Elliott

Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Second Generation Energy

12 Rosenfeld Drive

Hopedale, MA 01747

Office: 800-653-4270

Fax: 888-294-3067

relliott@sgegroup.com

We Love Referrals! Don't forget to tell your friends and neighbors, if they Go Solar with us we'll send you $500. Click here for more details!

What can solar energy do for you?

Find out at www.SGESolar.com

In the news: food collection, Democratic caucus, softball registration

Society of St. Vincent DePaul will hold food collection

by Staff reports

The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Church in Franklin will hold its monthly food collection at all Masses the weekend of Feb. 2 and 3.

Franklin Democrats plan caucus

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Democrats in Franklin will hold a caucus to elect delegates to the Massachusetts Democratic Party’s 2013 Platform Convention on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. in the Franklin Room at the Alumni Restaurant, 391 East Central St., Franklin.

Register for Franklin Girls Softball

by GateHouse Media, Inc.

Franklin Girls Softball Association has opened registration online and will have two “walk in” dates as well.

2012 FOOTBALL ACCOLADES INCLUDE 4 SIGNED TO DIVISION-1 TEAMS

2012 Football Accolades Include 4 Signed to Division-1 Teams

The Dean College Football team ended their 2012 season with an impressive 7-3 record. Even more impressive are the accolades and achievements in the months following the season. As we reported earlier, two players were named National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) All-Americans, and four have signed with impressive Division 1 programs in the National College Athletic Association.

Six-foot-two-inch receiver Shavarez Smith, who caught 43 balls for 685 yards and 6 touchdowns, was recruited to and signed by South Alabama (read about it on ESPN) -
http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post/_/id/26718/juco-receiver-picks-south-alabama

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) was very interested in the talents of two Dean players, one on each side of the ball. The aforementioned Rodney "Lucky" Whitehead was recruited and signed, and shortly after, defensive lineman Lance Burlingame signed with FAU (read about it in the Sun Sentinel) -
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-12-19/sports/sfl-fau-gets-lucky-signs-three-other-junior-college-players-20121219_1_fau-offense-fau-coach-carl-pelini-stephen-curtis

Finally, the impressive play of four Dean players was recognized by well respected NCAA Division 1 football programs around the country. Starting Quarterback Trevor Vasey was heavily recruited by Elon University in North Carolina, ultimately where Vasey signed (read about it in the Providence Journal). Vasey expects to compete for the starting quarterback job immediately.
http://news.providencejournal.com/sports/high-school/2012/12/former-st-rays-qb-to-play-at-elon-college.html

Congratulations to all on their achievements.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Kaitlyn B. Schlegel

A classmate of my daughters, Kaitlyn's funeral will be held Friday, Jan 18 with viewing hours at the Ginley Funeral Home on Thursday.

Arrangement details are still not complete at this time. You can visit the Ginley Funeral Home webpage for updates: http://www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com/Obituaries.html

"What is clear is that we can’t afford the system we have today"

The news on WBZ Radio recently has been touting the need to improve our transportation systems in MA and how much it will cost us. There is no such thing as a free lunch, so it will cost to maintain and prepare for our needs. The real questions will be how much? who will pay? how will we pay? what should we prioritize (we can't do it all)? and when?