MassBudget: MA becomes first state with majority college-educated workforce

MassBudget Information. Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center Democracy. MA becomes first state with majority college educated workforce Massachusetts has added another chapter to its history as the nation's leader in education, becoming the first state ever with 50 percent of its workforce holding a bachelor's degree, according to MassBudget's new report, "Education and State Economic Strength: A Snapshot of Current Data." The study highlights the ever-strengthening link between educational attainment and strong state economies. Massachusetts and New Jersey have the two best-educated workforces and the two highest median wage levels in the United States. Nationwide, 35.5 percent of the labor force holds a college degree, compared to 50.2 percent in Massachusetts. The U.S. median wage in 2016 was $17.80; in Massachusetts it was $21.22. The report also finds a strong connection between educational attainment and earnings within Massachusetts. Among the state's 25 largest cities and towns, those with the highest rates of college-degree attainment have the highest household incomes while those with the lowest prevalence of college degrees have the lowest household incomes. Expanding educational opportunity can help a lot of young people and strengthen our economy, but it won't by itself ensure that economic growth leads to rising wages for working people. The report's findings demonstrate that since 1979, inflation-adjusted wage growth overall has been flat or weak for most Massachusetts workers, including those with a college education. But over nearly four decades there has been growth in the "college wage premium" - the additional amount earned by workers with a college degree compared to those who have not attended college. By 2016, the median wage for Massachusetts workers with a college degree was twice that of workers with no more than a high school diploma. The link to the MassBudget report is here.  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 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

New Franklin Rotary President - Scott Martin

New Franklin Rotary President Scott Martin (center) was inducted by fellow Rotarian Dan Gentile (left). Mr Martin's sons attended to share their dad's experience. Scott is the Executive Director for the Hockomock YMCA in Franklin.

(l - r) Dan Gentile, Scott Martin and sons (Rotary photo)

Rotary is an international service organization of over one million members, dedicated to building friendship and improving the lives of people locally and worldwide. One of Rotary's most noted programs is Polio Plus, which has virtually eliminated polio from the earth through a massive vaccination program that only an organization as big as Rotary International could undertake successfully.

Franklin Rotary membership is open to anyone who works or resides in the towns of Franklin, Wrentham, and Medway. The club meets Thursday nights at 6 PM at 3's Restaurant in Franklin and guests or potential members are always welcome.

For more about the Franklin Rotary, visit them on the web  http://portal.clubrunner.ca/3689

Jane's Frames: Music and Art on Thursday's in August

Join us and bring a friend or two!

You're invited! Join us for Music with Kai Olsson Art Demo with Jane  Select Thursday's in August  8/24 and 8/30 from 5:30-7:30 Guest artists, appetizers and more!  Plus, we'll be offering specials on all Art in stock Don't miss the fun and festivities.  Jane's Frames, 11 E. Central Street, 508-528-3256, janesframes.com

Jane's Frames | 11 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by janesframes60@gmail.com in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: Story walk, Exelon money

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"There’s a new way for kids and families to read stories together that involves actually walking from one page to the next rather than snuggling in among comfy pillows and turning them by hand or swiping fingers across the display of an electronic reader. 

It’s all about being outdoors together, taking in nature and literature at the same time, and the Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) is introducing the concept -- known as StoryWalks -- at the section of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) in Bellingham. 

The committee on Friday is hosting a pop-up StoryWalk, weather permitting, from 9-11 a.m. Parking for that section of the rail trail is across the way from the trailhead, on Center Street near Fox Run Road, in Bellingham. 

As a pop-up StoryWalk, the walking story will be available just for the day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170824/rail-trail-group-plans-walking-story-event

https://www.facebook.com/events/461541297550902/

"The town (Medway) will consider how best to spend the about $3.8 million brought in as a result of the Exelon power plant expansion. 

The topic arose at the Monday night selectmen’s meeting, with Town Administrator Michael Boynton saying construction on the project - a 200-megawatt expansion - has begun. He suggested a September session to consider options for the money - an increase to the plant’s payment in lieu of taxes to Medway. 

“There’s $3.8 million - there might be 3.8 million ideas for what to do with it,” he said. 

Boynton said among the options are providing tax relief to residents, or getting ahead of needed roadwork projects. He recommended that the town avoid using the money to fund new positions since there would not be similar increases in future years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170823/medway-to-decide-on-options-for-exelon-money

#shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common - Aug 26

The 2nd annual #shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common, Saturday, August 26th. With a rain date: Sunday August 27.

The sequel to the movie show last year is queued for viewing this time!

#shopFranklin Family Movie Night on the Town Common - Aug 26

"fight the epidemic at every level and save more lives"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The number of opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts has increased each year since 2010, but new figures from the first half of this year offer some signs of motion in the opposite direction. 

Fifty-three fewer people died of opioid overdoses in the first six months of 2017 than over the same time period last year, according to state data released Tuesday. 

The latest quarterly report on opioid-related deaths in Massachusetts tracked 978 confirmed and estimated opioid deaths from January through June, a 5 percent decrease from the 1,031 in the first half of 2016. 

A year ago, the Department of Public Health reported that the opioid death rate was higher for the first six months of 2016 than in the first half of the previous year."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170822/mass-opioid-overdose-deaths-trending-downward-in-2017

Deaths made be trending down but the problem itself is not resolved yet. The work of the SAFE Coalition (and others) is still quite important. The decline in deaths may be due to the increased availability and awareness of NARCAN which was coordinated by the SAFE Coalition in Franklin.

For more about the SAFE Coalition and what they are doing to help the substance abuse problem we have visit their webpage  http://safecoalitionma.com/

http://safecoalitionma.com/

GATRA Update: Suspension of service on Franklin Line begins Friday, Aug 25

The MBTA published two alerts on Tuesday that contradict each other. I think they mean to say due to a weekend event at Gillette, the GATRA bus service will stop on Friday and resume on Monday.

You can find the full text of the two alerts on the MBTA webpage here
http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&advistory=true&route=Franklin+Line#details

Franklin Area Bus

What is GATRA? The Franklin Area Bus
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/09/have-you-taken-ride-on-franklin-area-bus.html