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An Analysis of Property Tax Credits and Transportation Funding Under the Governor's Casino Proposal

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:42:24 -0500

On October 25 the Foundation released a report analyzing the revenue projections included in the administration's plan to license three casinos in Massachusetts. The detailed analysis raises a variety of questions about the revenues and benefits from the three casinos, including an assessment of the impact on property taxes and transportation needs.

MTF Forecast: Slowing Revenue Growth in 2006 and 2007

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:07:04 -0500

Tax revenues will increase roughly five percent per year in 2006 and 2007-down from the almost seven percent average pace of the last two years-as the state's workforce continues to expand at less than half the national rate, according to a forecast released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.

Massachusetts' Tax Burden Falls to Bottom Tier of States

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:19:28 -0500

In a recently released analysis, MTF concludes that the burden of taxes and fees in Massachusetts relative to other states has fallen substantially since the mid-1990s and now ranks in the bottom tier of states.

Reforming the Commonwealth’s $2 Billion Purchase of Human Services: Meeting the Promise for Clients and Taxpayers

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:10:32 -0500

The Commonwealth's vast system for purchasing human services needs major reform, according to this major new report prepared by MTF in collaboration with the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers and with major funding from The Boston Foundation.

Fragile Progress: Reining In Massachusetts’ High Business Costs

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:33:53 -0500

Despite a decade of progress, high business costs in key areas continue to hold back the Massachusetts economy, and more must be done to make the Commonwealth competitive. That is the conclusion of the latest update in MTF's series comparing business costs in Massachusetts with those in other states.

Count Education and Training Toward Welfare Work Requirement

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:25:34 -0500

Legislative Testimony: Citing the recommendations of the Foundation's joint study with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, MTF President Michael J. Widmer testified before the Human Services Committee to fully incorporate education and training into the work requirement for welfare recipients. Mr.

Off Welfare...On To Independence

dlind — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:57:31 -0500

In a unique collaborative report, MTF and the United Way call for several major changes in the state's welfare program to help recipients achieve long-term economic independence and self- sufficiency, a goal that serves the interests of families, employers and taxpayers.

MTF Testifies Against Costly Workers' Compensation Legislation

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:38:58 -0500

Legislative Testimony: MTF testimony in opposition to legislation that would weaken the competitive position of Massachusetts employers by undoing the successful reforms of the workers' compensation system enacted in 1991. By increasing benefit levels, weakening utilization review and encouraging additional appeals, H.

What Next for Bay State?

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:42:20 -0500

Op-ed piece: A series of forces-including new spending pressures, slower economic expansion, and major tax-cutting ballot questions-are combining to create uncertainty about the state's financial future. By Edward H. Ladd and David A. Spina, the present and immediate past chairmen of MTF. Published in the Boston Globe.

Dynamics of Growth: The Two Massachusetts Economies

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:10:51 -0500

This major study concludes that Massachusetts is divided into two distinct economies: a high-tech, knowledge-driven economy in the east that fueled the state's strong economic performance in the 1990s and an economy highly dependent on a strong manufacturing sector in the rest of the state.

A Taxpayer's Look at a Sacred Cow: Public Sector Design in Massachusetts Two Decades After the Ward Commission

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:17:58 -0500

This report on the state's procurement rules and regulations for design services cites sharp differences between private sector and public sector practices in building construction and design. The study concludes that architectural and engineering selection and management procedures for public projects are burdened with red tape and bureaucracy and result in a large waste of taxpayer dollars.

An Economy in Transition: Reducing the High Cost of Doing Business in Massachusetts

dlind — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:19:31 -0500

This report, which launched a major effort by MTF to highlight the competitive cost disadvantage faced by Massachusetts businesses, has helped spearhead a number of positive reforms to reduce business costs and taxes in the Commonwealth.