In The News: Budget

Mass. Senate proposes budget plan with no tax hikes [2]

in

FY 2013 [3]

May 16 2012

Mass. Senate proposes budget plan with no tax hikes [4]

By Noah Bierman, The Boston Globe

“In past recoveries, the state has been able to restore spending cuts that took place in the prior recession and then often reach a new high-water mark,’’ said Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-funded budget watchdog group. “That era is over.’’

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Mass. plans vie for savings on health care [6]

in

May 9 2012

Mass. plans vie for savings on health care [10]

By Liz Kowalczyk, The Boston Globe

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.’’

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Keller @ Large: Looking Back At Gov. Mitt Romney’s First 100 Days [12]

in

Budget [1]
Public Finance [7]
Taxes [13]
FY Pre-2008 [14]

May 3 2012

Keller @ Large: Looking Back At Gov. Mitt Romney’s First 100 Days [15]

By Jon Keller, CBS Boston

“Gov. Mitt Romney’s first budget proposal contains overdue and comprehensive reforms of the way state government operates but is undercut by overstated claims regarding its short-term fiscal benefits," according to the business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

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Earmarks making return in House budget plan [17]

in

FY 2013 [3]

May 2 2012

Earmarks making return in House budget plan [18]

By Chris Camire, The Lowell Sun

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.' "

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House budget mixes spending cuts, hikes [20]

in

FY 2013 [3]

Apr 12 2012

House budget mixes spending cuts, hikes [21]

By Matt Murphy, WWLP / State House News Service

“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.”

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Lottery profits could rival ’06 record [23]

in

FY 2012 [24]
Municipal [25]

Apr 6 2012

Lottery profits could rival ’06 record [26]

By Peter Schworm, The Boston Globe

Andrew Bagley of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation said lottery funds are an important subsidy for cities and towns. “They rely on it,’’ he said.

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Deja Vu: The Latest Attacks from Santorum [28]

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FY Pre-2008 [14]

Apr 3 2012

Deja Vu: The Latest Attacks from Santorum [29]

By Robert Farley, Yahoo News / FactCheck.org

As we noted when we wrote about the Red White and Blue Fund ad, $1 billion was the high end of a projected budget shortfall for the following fiscal year. And, as it turns out, tax revenues came in much higher than expected due to an improving economy, largely erasing the projected deficit, said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

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Romney's Massachusetts Job Record Not as Great as He Wants You to Think [31]

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FY Pre-2008 [14]

Mar 9 2012

Romney's Massachusetts Job Record Not as Great as He Wants You to Think [32]

By Nancy Cook, National Journal

“I’m not sure another governor could have done better,” says Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a not-for-profit group that analyzes the state’s economic and fiscal policies. “But, Romney is campaigning as a job creator.”

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Ad accuses Mitt Romney of leaving 'Massachusetts $1 billion dollars in debt' [34]

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FY Pre-2008 [14]

Mar 2 2012

Ad accuses Mitt Romney of leaving 'Massachusetts $1 billion dollars in debt' [35]

PolitiFact.com

"The revenue did come in a bit better than planned, and ultimately Patrick presented a balanced budget," said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, an independent budget think tank.

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Gov's plan 'tight' [37]

in

FY 2013 [3]

Jan 31 2012

Gov's plan 'tight' [38]

By Chris Camire, Sentinel and Enterprise

"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.

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