OP-ED: THE BILLION-DOLLAR BAILOUT MASS. CAN'T AFFORD
Jul 27 2008
The Legislature should take the time to get this right. The proposed bailout rewards the Turnpike's abysmal record while shifting the risks to the taxpayer. Bailing out the Turnpike with no accompanying reforms, no transparency, and no comprehensive plan to address its underlying problems will be remembered for years as the other bookend to the sorry Big Dig saga.
State income tax under fire again
Sep 2 2008
"I think it would be very difficult for the Legislature and the governor, if the voters approved (Question 1) to simply reinstate the income tax," said Michael Widmer, the president of the business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. "I just think it would be very difficult politically to do that."
New state budget $1B out of balance leader says fall session possible
in
Aug 29 2008
"We've seen a huge increase in capital gains taxes," said Widmer. "That makes us more vulnerable to a decline in the stock market, which obviously we've experienced.
Editorial: Payroll belies problems
in
Aug 26 2008
"This trend is very troubling given the huge economic uncertainties," Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation told the Herald. "This is the time we should at least hold the payroll constant."
State payroll swells as econony tanks
in
Aug 25 2008
Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said the state's report to the bond market last week also shows a disturbing work-force hike. "This trend is very troubling given the huge economic uncertainties," said Widmer. "This is the time we should at least hold the payroll constant."
439,000 more get health coverage
in
Aug 20 2008
"That 159,000 is almost twice what was projected. It translates into almost $1 billion more spent by employers on premiums," said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-funded public policy group.
State pension vote exposes lawmakers' priorities
Aug 15 2008
Among those who warned the Legislature not to boost the pension this way were Michael Widmer, director of the state's most respected tax watchdog group, the Massachusetts Taxpayer's Foundation. Also warning that the proposed increase was irresponsible were the editors of the state's largest newspaper, The Boston Globe, and the editors of SouthCoast's largest newspaper, The Standard-Times.