• Sheet metal rules stifling state economy
The nation's economy finally grew again in the third quarter of this year. But the hopeful national economic report makes it even harder to stomach news that the Massachusetts economy shrank yet again.

• Health care reform a must for America
As members of a group of pediatricians and nurse practitioners responsible for the care of over 25,000 children and teenagers in Holyoke and the surrounding communities, we experience every day the struggles of the families of our young patients in their efforts to raise healthy children.

• Race is on for federal education funds
Time is running out for lawmakers to act on legislation of critical importance before formal sessions end for the year on November 18.

• State's mill cities need smart investing
Mayors from the state's older mill cities converged on Beacon Hill last week to advocate for a reform bill.

• Region's hospitals get short end of stick
There has been a great deal of national debate about health care lately. Here in Massachusetts many of our hospitals are facing a crisis that is every bit as critical.

• Legislation endangers motor vehicle security
The Massachusetts Legislature is considering legislation that at best will provide repairers with information that they already have, and at worst make the technology for vehicle security systems publicly available.

• Backlash threatens state's charter schools
Mounting pressure to open more charter public schools has spawned a backlash from some of the Commonwealth's most powerful special interest groups.