Author: bmrb

March 25, 2016

BPS Budget News

Boston school budget gap filled, for now, but hard decisions remain

By Michael Levenson | The Boston Globe | March 24, 2016

. . .”A more than 20 percent rise in school spending over the past five years — from $815 million to more than $1 billion — has been driven largely by growing salaries and benefits, which constitute 71 percent of the increases, according to the Boston Municipal Research Bureau.”
Check out our 2015 Special Report

Editorial: BPS Budget Realities

By Boston Herald Staff |March 25, 2016

. . . “Nearly a year ago the Boston Municipal Research Bureau put out an analysis of why this relatively small system had grown so expensive and year after year is in fiscal hot water.”

School Budget Update FY15-FY16>

Blog / Bureau Updates

March 24, 2016

Boston Retains Market Strength in 2016 Bond Sale

The City of Boston sold $140M of General Obligation (GO) bonds and $8.1M of GO refunding bonds on March 8, 2016. The GO bonds sold competitively at a True Interest Cost (TIC) of 2.26%, an improvement over the TIC of 2.68% in 2015. The City received eight bids and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. was the successful bidder. For the $140M in principal issued, the City will pay $51.7M in interest costs over 20 years. (continued . . .)

Special Reports

March 3, 2016

Boston Public Schools Human Capital Initiative

March 3, 2016 – The Research Bureau released a Special Report today, that assesses the results after two years of a bold initiative undertaken by the Boston Public Schools to improve the quality of teachers in every Boston classroom. Read the full report>

Blog / Statements and Testimony

February 22, 2016

Cycle of Binding Arbitration Unsustainable

February 22, 2016, 11 a.m -Testimony of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau Before the Boston City Council’s Ways and Means Committee – Promoting the City of Boston’s financial health is a priority of the Research Bureau and for that reason we bring a whole-city perspective to every financial matter. We oppose this award for the following reasons: (continued . . .)