This brief frames the final FY 2016 budget shortfall and takes a closer look at some of the factors that created the gap. It will also preview some of the solutions likely to be used to close the gap and outline possible implications for FY 2017.

On July 31st the Legislature completed its budget override process for FY 2017, finalizing the years General Appropriations Act. In total the Legislature overrode $231.6 million of the $267.1 million originally vetoed by the Governor.

The FixOurT Coalition coalesced around the need to turn the MBTA into a safe, reliable and fiscally sustainable public transit system. We advocated for the creation of the Fiscal and Management Control Board, an entity created to oversee the T’s...

We support renewable energy. We support the Commonwealth’s efforts to transition our economy to non-carbon fuel sources, utilizing a balanced approach that includes a variety of energy sources, energy efficiency, and new technologies to meet our...

The eventful final stages of the FY 2017 budget process are nearly complete. Last week, Governor Baker signed the Conference Committee budget after vetoing $267.1 million in spending and striking or proposing amendments to 60 budget sections. The...

The FY 2017 Conference Committee report released yesterday reconciles the House and Senate budgets while assuming $750 million less in tax revenue than previous spending plans. This analysis outlines the Conference Committee plan for balancing the...

With just days left in the fiscal year, tax revenues currently stand at $310 million below benchmark for FY 2016. This shortfall creates major challenges for ending the current fiscal year in balance and calls into question the accuracy of the tax...

The Foundation focuses this report on the capital financing of transportation. More specifically, MTF takes a critical first look at the two most important questions facing the transportation capital spending plan: 1) how does the state decide which...

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation is pleased to issue this report entitled: “The Commonwealth’s Capital Budget: A Primer” the purpose of which is to provide a guide on the process, how it differs from the operating budget and how capital...