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…

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…

MTF and three other business organizations have joined together to defeat Question 1, the Libertarian Party's reckless proposal to abolish the state income tax. If adopted, this extreme measure would throw the finances of state and local governments into chaos and inevitably lead to major increases…

On November 6, voters in eight Massachusetts communities -- including Boston, Malden and Waltham -- rejected a ballot measure that would have raised property taxes by up to three percent to fund affordable housing, historic preservation and open space initiatives. The Community Preservation Act was…

Legislative Testimony: MTF testimony in opposition to legislation that would undo important tax reforms for manufacturers and mutual fund companies, two key elements of the state's export sector. By repealing or curtailing the "single sales factor," Senate Bills 1645, 1751 and 1754 would undercut a…

MTF proposes tighter standards for using the Commonwealth's rainy day fund, ensuring that the fund is tapped only if deteriorating economic conditions cause a significant drop in state revenue growth.

This study, one of a series comparing the Commonwealth's taxes and business costs with other states, finds that Massachusetts ranks higher than the national average for personal income and corporate income taxes, and lower than average for sales and excise taxes. The overall burden of state and…