FY 2011

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Monday predicted "tepid" state revenue growth for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The group predicted revenue will grow by $822 million, or 3.9 percent, to $22 billion for fiscal 2012.

“Long term, this is a problem because if you put more and more of the cost on property taxpayers that obviously is very difficult for families and individuals who are feeling their own fiscal pressures to say the least,” said Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation president Michael Widmer.

Widmer said the decision to deposit most of the surplus into the emergency fund “reflects the positive way that the governor and Legislature have handled our fiscal crisis.’’