|  Our Process-lite Legislature
"If we have gotten to the point where we don’t see value in the hearing process, floor debate is strictly limited, roll call votes are rare and much of a legislative session’s work can be done in just a few weeks, why we do we need so many legislators? And why is it a full-time job?” Steve Poftak asks these questions and offers a few common-sense reforms. Read his op-ed in: Fall River Herald News: http://www.heraldnews.com/opin... MetroWest Daily: http://www.metrowestdailynews.... New Bedford Standard Times: http://www.southcoasttoday.com... Josh Archambault says that on health care, Mass. is ignoring important options that put consumers in charge & control costs: BusinessWest: http://businesswest.com/2012/0... Pioneer takes the case against the Common Core to Indiana: Jamie Gass recently visited the Hoosier state, where there is a growing grassroots effort to withdraw from what some citizens are calling, "the unconstitutional federal education takeover." Read this recent article: http://www.southbendtribune.co... http://www.indystar.com/articl... In the piece, Indiana Schools Chief Tony Bennett accuses "people from outside our state" of fueling the opposition – we like Tony Bennett, he was a keynote at a 2011 education forum we held, but perhaps he needs a reminder that it was people from outside the state - like Gates, Achieve, CCSSO, and through Race to the Top, Arne Duncan - who imposed Common Core in the first place… Speaking of Common Core – its biggest backer, the Gates Foundation, is going way over the top in its work on measuring teachers. Here’s education expert (and recent Pioneer event keynote speaker) Jay Greene on their latest project, which he calls a 'bucket of crazy": “Galvanic Skin Response” bracelets to gauge student engagement: http://jaypgreene.com/2012/06/... Save the Date: On Tuesday, July 31st, join us for a policy breakfast on the Lawrence Reforms and School Choice, featuring Jeff Riley, Lawrence Superintendent, and a panel of education practitioners and experts. Details to follow. The event marks what would have been the 100th birthday of renowned economist and school choice advocate, Milton Friedman. Become a New Leader Today! Pioneer is pleased to announce the Pioneer New Leaders program, a network of individuals in their 20s, 30s, and 40s committed to ensuring that Massachusetts has world-class schools and health care, effective and limited government, and a business climate conducive to innovation and prosperity. Contact Erin at pioneerinstitute.org for more details. We hope that you'll visit us at: http://www.pioneerinstitute.or... And consider becoming more involved in our important work by: - Attending our events (new postings soon) - Signing up for our e-updates http://visitor.r20.constantcon... - Liking us (and commenting!) on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Pionee... - Following us on Twitter http://twitter.com/PioneerBoston and/or - Making a donation http://www.pioneerinstitute.or... |
