Boston Municipal Research Bureau
Encyclopedia
The Boston Municipal Research Bureau is a non-profit, member supported research organization which focuses on urban issues in Boston
, Massachusetts
. The bureau was founded in 1932, and has a board of directors composed of major business and institutional non-profit leaders from the city of Boston. Today, the bureau publishes research reports and papers, "monitor[s] state and local fiscal affairs[,] highlight[s] major policy challenges, from contract negotiations to tax policy," and "studies municipal budgeting, management, and labor issues."
family, was a local businessman, an attorney at the Boston-based firm now known as Ropes & Gray, the treasurer and senior fellow
of the board of Harvard University
, a member of the Massachusetts state legislature
, and later a member of the Boston City Council
.
The organization was initially founded as a fiscal watchdog focused on the mayoral administration of James Michael Curley
, the powerful Boston mayor who was later elected Governor of Massachusetts
, and then later spent a portion of his final mayoral term in prison.
In 1988 Dawn-Marie Driscoll, an executive at former Boston-based department store chain Filene's
, became the first woman to lead the organization's board.
Since 1985, the bureau has organized the annual Henry L. Shattuck Public Service Awards to honor employees of the City of Boston. Since 1998, the bureau has also recognized business and nonprofit leaders involved in public service in the Boston area, through the Shattuck City Champions Award.
neighborhood of Boston. The staff is responsible for the bureau's fact-finding mission, and publishes reports and papers, testifies at public hearings, shadows public officials, and provides quotes to local media. The current president is Samuel R. Tyler.
In addition, the bureau has a board of directors composed of executives from many large businesses, universities and law firms based in Boston, including State Street Corporation, Liberty Mutual Group, Harvard University
, Ropes & Gray, and the TD Garden. The Executive Committee of the board had many members who were also members of the so-called "Vault," an informal collection of the heads of the largest businesses in Boston.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The bureau was founded in 1932, and has a board of directors composed of major business and institutional non-profit leaders from the city of Boston. Today, the bureau publishes research reports and papers, "monitor[s] state and local fiscal affairs[,] highlight[s] major policy challenges, from contract negotiations to tax policy," and "studies municipal budgeting, management, and labor issues."
History
The bureau was founded in 1932 by business leaders led by Henry L. Shattuck. Shattuck, a member of a well-established New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
family, was a local businessman, an attorney at the Boston-based firm now known as Ropes & Gray, the treasurer and senior fellow
President and Fellows of Harvard College
The President and Fellows of Harvard College is the more fundamental of Harvard University's two governing boards...
of the board of Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, a member of the Massachusetts state legislature
Massachusetts General Court
The Massachusetts General Court is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The name "General Court" is a hold-over from the Colonial Era, when this body also sat in judgment of judicial appeals cases...
, and later a member of the Boston City Council
Boston City Council
The Boston City Council is the legislative branch of government for the city of Boston. It is made up of 13 members: 9 district representatives and 4 at-large members. Councilors are elected to two-year terms and there is no limit on the number of terms an individual can serve...
.
The organization was initially founded as a fiscal watchdog focused on the mayoral administration of James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley
James Michael Curley was an American politician famous for his four terms as mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. He also served twice in the United States House of Representatives and one term as 53rd Governor of Massachusetts.-Early life:Curley's father, Michael Curley, left Oughterard, County...
, the powerful Boston mayor who was later elected Governor of Massachusetts
Governor of Massachusetts
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the executive magistrate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, United States. The current governor is Democrat Deval Patrick.-Constitutional role:...
, and then later spent a portion of his final mayoral term in prison.
In 1988 Dawn-Marie Driscoll, an executive at former Boston-based department store chain Filene's
Filene's
Filene's was a Boston-based department store owned by Federated Department Stores , and May Department Stores . It operated throughout New England and in New York.-Early years:...
, became the first woman to lead the organization's board.
Since 1985, the bureau has organized the annual Henry L. Shattuck Public Service Awards to honor employees of the City of Boston. Since 1998, the bureau has also recognized business and nonprofit leaders involved in public service in the Boston area, through the Shattuck City Champions Award.
Staff and Board
The bureau has offices and a full-time staff based in the Downtown CrossingDowntown Crossing
Downtown Crossing is a shopping district in Boston, Massachusetts, located due east of Boston Common and west of the Financial District. It features large department stores as well as restaurants, music stores, souvenir sellers, general retail establishments, and many street vendors...
neighborhood of Boston. The staff is responsible for the bureau's fact-finding mission, and publishes reports and papers, testifies at public hearings, shadows public officials, and provides quotes to local media. The current president is Samuel R. Tyler.
In addition, the bureau has a board of directors composed of executives from many large businesses, universities and law firms based in Boston, including State Street Corporation, Liberty Mutual Group, Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, Ropes & Gray, and the TD Garden. The Executive Committee of the board had many members who were also members of the so-called "Vault," an informal collection of the heads of the largest businesses in Boston.