In The News: FY 2013

Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said the ... Senate’s spending benchmark “strikes a better balance than the House between the need to squeeze cost out of the health care system without damaging the state’s world renowned health care sector.’’

Michael Widmer, president of the business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said the number of earmarks in this budget pales in comparison to prefiscal-crisis spending plans. Earmarks also represent political victories for legislators, particularly in an election year, he said. "They're bringing home the bacon, so to speak," said Widmer. "Sometimes one can ridicule where the money is going, but most often it's going toward a worthy cause. There are far more worthy causes than 'Bridges to Nowhere.' "

“What’s striking about the budget is the increase in local aid given the fiscal realities,” said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “The increase is paid for in these reductions in other accounts across state government. I’m not necessarily faulting them, but it certainly stands out.”

"This puts the pressure on the Legislature, because if you don't get the new savings and the new revenues, you'll have to cut more deeply than the governor has in this budget," said Michael Widmer, president of the business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Mike Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Tax Payers Foundation, recognizes that the current economic climate makes it challenging to address all of the State's needs in the current budget.

But Beacon Hill lawmakers in the past have rejected similar tax proposals from the governor. And Michael Widmer of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation questioned whether they would accept them this time around. "Those tax proposals I think are reasonable but nonetheless this is an election year so there’s an open question on whether or not the legislature will approve them," he said. "So this puts the pressure on the Legislature because if you don’t achieve the new revenues then you have to cut more deeply than the governor has in this budget."

Michael Widmer, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, described the governor's budget as "fiscally responsible" but said it was built on "question marks" about health care savings and initiatives that lawmakers are unlikely to support.

“It’s going to be very tight,’’ said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “There are going to be a number of places where there are budget cuts. “It’s better news than the last several years for sure, but it’s also a fifth consecutive year of budget squeeze,’’ he said. “This is the longest fiscal siege that state and local government have experienced in decades.’’

Michael Widmer, president of the independent Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, noted that lawmakers had previously rejected some of the governor’s revenue proposals and questioned whether they would be more willing to accept them this around. “The Legislature always puts its own imprint on the budget, but this year they are facing the same limited options the governor faces,’’ Widmer said.

Michael Widmer, the president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation predicts state budget writers will find a way to boost local aid.