WORCESTER — At least two startling figures came out of a community briefing on the school budget last night. The first was that only 50 cents of every dollar in the budget makes its way into the classroom. The second was that that figure likely matches the state average.

WORCESTER — The teachers’ union is asking for money the school district simply can’t afford, according to a recent Research Bureau report, but the union argues it needs competitive wages to offer quality education that will, in turn, help the city’s economic health.

WORCESTER — The United States gains far more than it loses from immigration, according to Jason Riley, author of the book “Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders.”

Mr. Riley spoke to about 100 people yesterday morning at the final event of The Research Bureau’s 25th anniversary lecture series. The event was held at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

The Research Bureau has issued its 10th annual “Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester” report.

A new Research Bureau report, “Benchmarking Economic Development in Worcester: 2010,” repeats some sound advice that city officials have been hearing for some time: For the sake of residents and businesses alike, it’s time to close the gap between commercial and residential tax rates in Worcester.

The teachers union in Worcester is the largest public employee union in the city, as it is in most other municipalities.

WORCESTER — The Research Bureau, a nonprofit research organization based in Worcester, has released its annual Benchmarking Public Education report on public education in the city and found that while scores are low, there are signs things are improving.

WORCESTER — Though the local permitting process for the project seemingly crawls along, officials at CSX Corp. are hopeful that their $100 million plan to expand the company’s freight yard behind Union Station will be completed by 2012.

The report, “Benchmarking Public Safety in Worcester,” authored by The Research Bureau, generated an article by a columnist and a letter to the editor by the head of the local American Civil Liberties Union.

Kudos to the Worcester Police Department for having near zero misconduct among the ranks last year.