Despite significant efforts to close a more than $1.35 billion budget gap in fiscal 2002, the state's financial leaders have failed to produce a balanced budget or to adequately address the multi-billion dollar financial problems that the state will face over the next several years. With only $600…

Massachusetts will face escalating multi-billion dollar state budget deficits over the next several years unless state leaders make major spending reductions in the fiscal 2002 budget, according to a new analysis by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. While large spending reductions are the…

In the 31st edition of its annual summary of trends in local revenue, spending and property taxes, the Foundation reports that municipal finances reached a high water mark in fiscal 2001. Looking ahead, however, the report cautions that cities and towns can expect declining fortunes as they grapple…

MTF warns that the state could face a $900 million revenue shortfall in 2002 if the trend of declining revenues in the first two months of the fiscal year continues. At the same time, not only is legislative approval of the fiscal 2002 budget woefully overdue, both the House and Senate version of…

Presentation to seminar sponsored by the West Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Provides an overview of the disproportionate impact of property tax classification on the tax burden of Massachusetts businesses, with updated numbers for fiscal 2000.

With the state struggling to pay the cost of its current health care programs, the Foundation called on the Legislature to dedicate any new revenues from the proposed 50-cent increase in the tobacco tax to meet the Commonwealth's long list of underfunded health care obligations before further…

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.

Given the recent economic downturn, state tax revenue growth will slow markedly in fiscal 2001 and 2002, according to a forecast presented by MTF to members of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees at their annual revenue hearing.

In its annual report on state spending, MTF reports that with tax collections weakening precipitously, achieving a balanced state budget for fiscal 2002 is likely to be the most difficult financial challenge in a decade. The report highlights three major trends which are converging to dramatically…