Crankin, it's funny, but whenever we cross the border from NY and drive through Mass (which is very often, we are right near it and have family and friends in eastern MA), we see a huge difference immediately. The roads are repaired, bridges painted, houses and lawns well maintained, even the cars look newer. We can't help but notice this, it's always kind of obvious. Not that there aren't places in MA suffering from the recession, mind you.