Their intent was to soften the blow, but, you know, the fact is it was not the truth.

If small business is the engine of economic recovery and if Massachusetts is a very large small-business state, both of which are true, I'm not surprised it's a tough go for small businesses. To me it's pretty obvious. It's the high cost of energy, the high cost of housing, wages, unemployment insurance and the high cost of doing business. Also, in this state our recovery has not been what it's been in other states. But businesses remain confident. Sometimes I wonder if they know what's going on out there.

Mandates do not solve, but only exacerbate the problem. Mandates will seriously impact the state's ability to compete economically with other states.

We're leaving. That line is too long.

You've got employers who are facing the highest energy costs, the highest wages, the highest unemployment insurance, the highest real estate costs -- and to now put this on? You're going to be in a position where the job growth isn't there, where people aren't making a decision to grow their business.

I don't want the big flashing lights and red carpet, like, 'Here comes another Bon Iver album!' I just want it to be my bedroom-y thing. But that'll take a while to figure out.