Municipal revenues and expenditures grew by just 2.7 percent to $22.6 billion in fiscal 2012, leaving Massachusetts cities and towns in the midst of a three-year slowdown that is unprecedented in the Proposition 2 ½ era, according to the...

Fiscal 2014 tax revenues will grow by $835 million, or 3.9 percent, to $22.37 billion, according to a new forecast released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. “While fiscal 2014 shows an improving revenue picture, we are still a long...

The Foundation’s latest report, State Tax Expenditures: Less Than Meets The Eye, examines the state’s annual estimate of “tax expenditures,” or the amount of revenue the state foregoes because of exceptions to tax laws. While commonly thought of as...

In the attached table, the Foundation summarizes and contrasts the 2013 final budget passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor with spending for fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

While tax expenditures are commonly thought of as tax breaks given to specific businesses or industries, they actually represent a much broader set of tax policies that benefit every resident of the state. Tax expenditures include all exemptions from...

In the attached table, the Foundation summarizes and contrasts the 2013 budget proposals of Governor Patrick, the House and Senate Ways and Means as well as final spending for fiscal 2010 and 2011 and the original and projected spending for fiscal...

Fiscal 2013 tax revenues will grow by $822 million, or 3.9 percent, to $22 billion, less than half the rate of expansion in fiscal 2011, according to a new forecast released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.“The small growth in tax...

Massachusetts cities and towns endured the most difficult two-year period in the Proposition 2 ½ era in fiscal 2010 and 2011 with property taxes rising to their highest share of local spending in 30 years, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers...

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...

Municipalities weathered one of their most difficult years in the Proposition 2 ½ era in fiscal 2010, highlighting the urgency of controlling municipal health insurance costs. Driven by cuts in local aid and declines in local receipts and new...