Public Policy Research - Worcester Regional Research Bureau

Turning Data Into Insight

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Read our report Questions for the Candidates?

Read our report Insights Insider: Pre-K Education in Worcester County

Read our report Express for Whom?

View our visualization Where are Worcester’s Woes?

Read our report Insights Insider: Worcester County’s Growing Job Sectors

View our visualization Cashing in on Cannabis

Read our report Bureau Update: Mass. Exodus in Civil Service

Read our report Insights Insider – Community Health: Asthma

Read our report Casting Ballots on Taxes: Town Meeting, Local Governance, and Proposition 2 1/2’s Limits

Watch Our 39th Annual Meeting featuring President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

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Recent Reports & Forums

Paying for a Public Education: FY26

Paying for a Public Education: An Examination of the FY26 Worcester Public Schools’ Budget is the latest in an on-going …

Breaking Down the Budget: FY26

Breaking Down the Budget: An Examination of Worcester’s FY26 City Budget is the Bureau’s latest analysis in its long-running series …

WRRB's 40th Annual Meeting, 11/19, 4:30pm, DCU Center; Program will feature remarks from Founding Chair George Tetler as well as a panel discussion with Worcester's City Managers: Mike O'Brien, Ed Augustus, Eric Batista. Panel will be moderated by The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation President, Kim Salmon. Register today!

WRRB 40th Annual Meeting – November 19, 2025

Celebrate the WRRB’s 40th Anniversary on November 19th, 5:00PM, DCU Center! REGISTER NOW

Overdue for Civilian Oversight

The Worcester Regional Research Bureau recommends that the City of Worcester establish a civilian oversight entity to strengthen accountability and …

Fixing the Foundation

Fixing the Foundation: Uneven Access to Modern Schools and a Blueprint for a More Equitable Future explores inequities in access …

Research Areas

Welcome to The Research Bureau

Promoting Informed Debate and Decision-Making through Public Policy Research

The Worcester Regional Research Bureau serves the public interest of Greater Worcester by conducting independent, non-partisan research and analysis of public policy issues to promote informed public debate and decision-making. For thirty years, The Research Bureau has worked to protect the public interest in Greater Worcester by identifying issues, investigating impacts, and educating the public and government officials of opportunities and best practices.

We Invite You To

Suggest a Research Topic

The Research Bureau receives many suggestions for report subjects. When considering the viability of a potential report, WRRB staff asks a series of questions. In an effort to ensure we have answers to these questions when discussing an idea or pitch, we ask that our friends and partners with ideas provide as much detail as possible when submitting.