Just a quick note that the Fall 2009 edition of Commonweath - Politics, Ideas & Civic Life in Massachusetts that came in today’s mail is chock-full of great articles, interesting analysis, charts, maps and factual snippets. From “Teachers Aren’t Widgets” to “State of the Unions” - you’ll want to read it from cover to cover.

Of local interest is an item on the RMV with the jump-out note “Lowell Offered a Sweet Deal.” Of course, the deal was the “sweet one” given by the City of Lowell to the RMV - 18 months rent-free at the site of the new home of the Lowell Registry on the first floor of the Edward Early Garage.  The Lowell delegation led by Rep. David Nangle lobbied Registrar Rachel Kaprielian very hard when the Lowell Registry was placed on the closing “hit list.” It was a classic case of  a needed budget cut versus a local need for service  and access. The city was willing to partner with the RMV. Will the newly signed agreement survive the latest fiscal cuts and those yet to come? Stay tuned.

Read Commonwealth on-line at: http://www.massinc.org/index.php?id=27.