The Worcester Regional Research Bureau is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization conducting independent research and analyses of public policy issues in Central Massachusetts to promote informed public debate and decision-making.

Based on our research, The Research Bureau believes it would be unwise to implement the proposed regulations for the following reasons:

Disability pensions are very expensive. In 2008, the Worcester Retirement System’s (WRS_ average superannuated retirement benefit for retirees was $18,576 and for accidental disability pensions, it was $31,374, or 70% higher on average.

Members of the Worcester City Council:

I come before you tonight to speak not on behalf of the open-shop contractors, or the unions which have written this revised ordinance, but to speak to the interest of ALL taxpayers and residents of Worcester who you were elected to represent.

Mayor Petty and Members of the Worcester City Council:

In this morning’s Telegram, City Councilor William Eddy said, “setting the tax rates should not come down to pitting homeowners against business owners, as seems to happen every year.

Yesterday, The Research Bureau published its annual survey of downtown office occupancy.

Dr. Boone, Dr. Mulqueen, members of the School Committee, and fellow parents and residents. Thank you for the opportunity to offer my observations and suggestions for changes in the Worcester Public Schools.

Madame Mayor and Members of the Worcester City Council:

I want to take this opportunity to commend the members of the Worcester City Council for all the tough decisions that you have taken during these very troubled times.

Good morning and thank you for the opportunity to testify. I am here this morning to testify on behalf of my organization, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, in support of this bill.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this important bill, which I believe will benefit the residents of the Commonwealth by improving cable service and lowering the cost.