Budget

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Michael Widmer recommended leaving the "rainy day" fund untouched next year. He also suggested that $160 million in anticipated federal Medicaid reimbursements and $300 million to be saved by restructuring some debt under Patrick's proposal be put back into reserves instead of spending it immediately.

From the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation on the governor's budget for the 2011 fiscal year: "The worst is yet to come."

"We've got this huge structural deficit in fiscal 2012 even if the ballot questions aren't approved by the voters," Widmer said. "If they are, it's a $5 billion hole."