In The News: Capital

"I think the concern we have with the film tax credit has been the cost which has been upwards of $100 million a year," said Michael Widmer, executive director for the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. "The key test here for Massachusetts is, do you get enough bang for the buck?"

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Mass. credit strategy gets nod [6]

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FY 2012 [7]
Capital [1]
Economy [8]

Mar 30 2011

Mass. credit strategy gets nod [9]

By Noah Bierman, The Boston Globe

Andrew C. Bagley, director of research and public affairs for the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-backed group, said the latest credit reports amount to a validation that state government is not burying its head in the sand; it is dealing with the budget, and may well save $10 million to $15 million a year.

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$5M Cape ME office remains unstaffed [11]

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Capital [1]

Aug 26 2010

$5M Cape ME office remains unstaffed [12]

By Heather Wysocki, Cape Cod Times

Andrew Bagley, director of research for the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said state operating budgets across the board have suffered "huge losses" over the past two years. By the time an infrastructure project is completed, its operating budget could have been slashed, he said.

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Cahill’s warnings absent in bond issue [14]

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Health Care [15]
Capital [1]

Mar 24 2010

Cahill’s warnings absent in bond issue [16]

By Frank Phillips, The Boston Globe

At least one independent analysis, by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, has concluded that the health care law had put minimal additional strain on the state budget.

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Mass. lawmakers OK nearly $16 billion in borrowing [18]

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FY 2009 [19]
Capital [1]

Aug 12 2008

Mass. lawmakers OK nearly $16 billion in borrowing

By Steve LeBlanc, AP

"They always pass these authorizations with a lot of fanfare as if they are going to spend the money immediately, but a lot of these bond bills are over five or ten years," Widmer said. "There is the issue of giving false expectations that they'll be spent in the near term." Widmer said the level of authorized borrowing, while unusual, doesn't pose a fiscal risk to the state in part because of a self-imposed cap on the amount of bonds the state can issue in a single year.

Administration looks to accelerate life science borrowing [20]

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Capital [1]
Economy [8]

Jul 30 2008

Administration looks to accelerate life science borrowing [21]

By Kyle Cheney/State House News Service, The Belmont Citizen-Herald

Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said use of more than $75 million a year would be ill-advised.

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Cahill calls for turnpike overhaul [23]

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Jul 18 2008

Cahill calls for turnpike overhaul [25]

By Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe

Budget watchdog Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, also blasted the administration's plan.

"This is one of the most irresponsible proposals I have seen seriously considered by the Legislature in my 16 years," said Widmer, whose organization is backed by business. "We are just heading off a cliff, Thelma and Louise, with a smile on our face."

Widmer called for a gas-tax increase and new tolls to help the Turnpike Authority meet the terms of its Big Dig-related debts.

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Pike rescue plan raises questions at Statehouse hearing [27]

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Jul 17 2008

Pike rescue plan raises questions at Statehouse hearing [29]

By Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe

Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a business-backed budget watchdog group, said a gas tax increase and tolls on Interstate 93 heading into Boston are needed and inevitable because of the Turnpike's financial problems, even if lawmakers don't acknowledge it yet.

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State may bail Pike out; what about T? [31]

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Capital [1]
Transportation [24]

Jul 17 2008

State may bail Pike out; what about T? [32]

By Greg St. Martin, Metro

According to the Patrick administration, the T's financial situation is also on its radar. But yesterday, Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, said he would be concerned if the state helped ease the T's debt. He instead suggested the state should increase the gas tax and the agencies should hike fares to boost revenue.

"One of greatest risks here of the Commonwealth doing this is that the T is next," said Widmer, who is against the proposed Turnpike deal. "Not that the T doesn't need help, but putting the Commonwealth at risk is not the way to do it."

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Treasurer accused of inaction on Pike [34]

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Capital [1]
Transportation [24]

Jul 17 2008

Treasurer accused of inaction on Pike [35]

By Casey Ross, The Boston Globe

Michael Widmer, president of the business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said the administration's proposal does not solve the Turnpike Authority's underlying financial problems and could lead to huge losses for the state.

"There are all sorts of things happening that no one ever expected in the larger credit and financial markets," he said. "I don't know how we can guarantee the state is not going to be on the hook for this."

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In The News: Capital

View more in Capital [1]

Tax credit challenged [2]

Dec 13 2011

Tax credit challenged [4]

By Patrick Cassidy, Cape Cod Times

Mass. credit strategy gets nod [6]

Mar 30 2011

Mass. credit strategy gets nod [9]

By Noah Bierman, The Boston Globe

$5M Cape ME office remains unstaffed [11]

Aug 26 2010

$5M Cape ME office remains unstaffed [12]

By Heather Wysocki, Cape Cod Times

Cahill’s warnings absent in bond issue [14]

Mar 24 2010

Cahill’s warnings absent in bond issue [16]

By Frank Phillips, The Boston Globe

Mass. lawmakers OK nearly $16 billion in borrowing [18]

Aug 12 2008

Mass. lawmakers OK nearly $16 billion in borrowing

By Steve LeBlanc, AP

Administration looks to accelerate life science borrowing [20]

Jul 30 2008

Administration looks to accelerate life science borrowing [21]

By Kyle Cheney/State House News Service, The Belmont Citizen-Herald

Cahill calls for turnpike overhaul [23]

Jul 18 2008

Cahill calls for turnpike overhaul [25]

By Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe

Pike rescue plan raises questions at Statehouse hearing [27]

Jul 17 2008

Pike rescue plan raises questions at Statehouse hearing [29]

By Eric Moskowitz, The Boston Globe

State may bail Pike out; what about T? [31]

Jul 17 2008

State may bail Pike out; what about T? [32]

By Greg St. Martin, Metro

Treasurer accused of inaction on Pike [34]

Jul 17 2008

Treasurer accused of inaction on Pike [35]

By Casey Ross, The Boston Globe