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Retiree Health Care: The Brick That Broke Municipalities’ Backs

abagley — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 08:53:20 -0600

The 50 largest cities and towns in Massachusetts face a crushing $20 billion liability for retiree health care benefits that threatens to wreak havoc with local government services, according to a new report released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

The report, Retiree Health Care: The Brick That Broke Municipalities’ Backs, is the first analysis of municipal retiree health care liabilities in Massachusetts. The $20 billion represents what these governments must pay in today’s dollars for the lifetime health care benefits already earned by 150,000 current employees and retirees in the 50 communities.

MTF Forecast: Revenue Growth in FY11 and FY12, But State Faces Large Structural Deficit in 2012

abagley — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:00:30 -0600

Fiscal 2012 tax revenues will grow by $923 million or 4.7 percent to reach a total of $20.56 billion, according to a new forecast released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. The Foundation projects tax collections of $19.63 billion in fiscal 2011, an increase of $554 million over the current consensus forecast, and approximately $1.1 billion or 5.9 percent over tax collections in 2010.

“Despite almost a billion dollars in revenue growth, the state faces a fiscal 2012 shortfall of approximately $2 billion with no federal stimulus dollars and limited state reserves,” Mr. Widmer said. “The 2012 budget will require yet another round of cuts in local aid, human services, higher education, and almost all other state programs.”

Question 3 Proponents Inflate State Spending

abagley — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 07:44:21 -0500

In order to try to minimize the enormous consequences of Question 3, the proponents argue incorrectly that total state spending is $52 billion when the correct number is approximately $32 billion, as shown on page 137 of the 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.

Question 3: Heading Over the Cliff

abagley — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:11:01 -0500

Voter approval of Question 3 would result in across-the-board cuts of approximately 30 percent in virtually all state programs, including local aid, higher education, human services, prisons, courts, environmental protection, and state parks and beaches, according to a report released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

The report concludes that state leaders would face a $4.5 billion shortfall in the fiscal 2012 budget - an already existing structural deficit of at least $2 billion plus $2.5 billion of reduced tax revenues by cutting the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent.

State Finances: Heading Over the Cliff?

abagley — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 14:57:54 -0500

In a presentation to business and government leaders, MTF President Michael Widmer described the $2 to $2.5 billion budget gap facing the state in 2012, which will likely turn out to be the most difficult year of the state's extended fiscal crisis. Compounding this predicament, should voters approve the ballot question to cut the sales tax from 6.25 to 3 percent, the state would lose $2.5 billion in revenues raising the 2012 shortfall to nearly $5 billion.

Maximizing the Value of Our Human Services Dollars

abagley — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:11:33 -0500

In a newly released report, Maximizing the Value of Our Human Services Dollars, the Foundation makes two major recommendations: to streamline the administrative structure of the state's human services agencies; and to close ten antiquated and expensive institutions and move clients into community treatment. Both recommendations would save money while improving services for individuals and families. The link below is to the Executive Summary. The full report will be available shortly.

Senate 2011 Budget Proposal

abagley — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:32:29 -0500

The Senate recommends spending $31.4 billion, roughly $250 million less than the Governor in fiscal 2011 but $100 million more than the House, and does not rely on a draw from the state stabilization fund or increased taxes. However, with roughly $2 billion of one-time funds in the budget, the 2012 structural deficit will require substantial cuts in spending, even with an economic recovery.

The State’s Enormous Fiscal Challenges in a Turbulent Political Year

abagley — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:49:57 -0500

MTF President Michael J. Widmer presented to the Boston Economic Club an update on state and local finances.

State and Local Finances

abagley — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:38:16 -0600

Governor's 2011 Budget: The Worst is Yet to Come

abagley — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:17:59 -0600

The Governor's reliance on more than $2 billion of one-time funds in his $31.7 billion fiscal 2011 budget will require major budget cuts in 2012. According to the Foundation's analysis, even if revenues grow by $1 billion in 2012, the state would still confront a $2.5 billion shortfall with virtually no state and federal reserves to help close the gap. In addition, should the voters this November approve a ballot initiative to reduce the state's sales tax from 6.25 to 3 percent, the state will face a $5 billion structural gap in fiscal 2012, as well as an immediate $1 billion revenue shortfall in fiscal 2011.

State Fiscal Crisis - No End in Sight

abagley — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:32:09 -0600

Despite steps taken by the Governor and Legislature, the fiscal 2010 budget is $300 - $500 million out of balance. Because of the heavy reliance on one-time funds in 2010, the state faces a structural deficit of $3 billion in fiscal 2011, which will require spending reductions comparable to cuts in 2010 spending.

MTF Forecast: Fiscal 2010 Revenues $600 Million below Consensus

abagley — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:07:32 -0500

President Michael J. Widmer presented MTF's revised fiscal 2010 revenue forecast to the Senate and House Ways and Means Committee.

State and Local Finances - Update

abagley — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:20:35 -0500

MTF President Michael Widmer presented an overview of state and local finances to the Boston Municipal Analyst Forum

Overview of State and Local Finances

abagley — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:35:02 -0500

In a presentation to business and government leaders, MTF President Michael Widmer described the global recession's enormous impact on state and local finances and the state's dependence on $5 billion of one-time state and federal funds to balance the fiscal 2009 and 2010 budgets.

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation receives prestigious national award

abagley — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:57 -0500

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation recently received a prestigious national award for its research and public education on the fiscal and economic impact of the November 2008 ballot question to repeal the state income tax. The Foundation was awarded a Certificate of Merit in the Most Effective Education category from the Governmental Research Association (GRA), the 13th such award received by the Foundation since 1996. The centerpiece of the Foundation's work was its October 2008 report, The Enormous Consequences of Question 1, which was widely cited in the media and public debates in opposition to the initiative, which voters ultimately rejected by a 70-30 margin. The Foundation's previous awards from the GRA have covered a wide array of topics including health care, business costs, capital spending, state finances, MBTA restructuring, and state government reform.

New Revenue Forecast

abagley — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:17:16 -0500

State tax revenues likely to collapse an unprecedented $3.1 billion from fiscal 2008, according to a new revenue forecast released today by the Foundation.

The Sales Tax Debate - Update

abagley — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:36:30 -0500

The Foundation addresses several questions about an increase in the state's sales tax including how much would be raised, what it will cost the average taxpayer and how Massachusetts compares with other states.

State Finances: A large and Growing Crisis

abagley — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:36:34 -0500

At the request of the House Speaker and House Ways and Means Chair, MTF President Michael Widmer made a presentation for the full House of Representatives on the state's large and growing deficits.

FY 2009 Budget Summary

abagley — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:48:33 -0600

The attached budget summary shows fiscal 2009 spending after the Governor's first round of "9C' cuts of $708 million and a savings of $100 million by extending from 2023 to 2025 the funding of the state's unfunded pension liabilities. With these reductions, fiscal 2009 spending increased by 1.6 percent over 2008.

MTF Forecast: Dramatic Drop in Revenues in Fiscal 2009 and 2010

abagley — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:09:49 -0600

The global economic recession will lead to a large decline in state tax revenues in fiscal 2009 and 2010, according to a forecast released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.