This analysis describes the steps taken by the governor to balance the budget compared to MTF’s initial projection of an $880 million gap between revenue and spending in fiscal 2021. It also describes ten tough choices confronting legislators as they...

Governor Charlie Baker published his budget recommendation for state fiscal year 2021 on January 22, 2020. The plan, also known as House 2 (H.2), is the sixth budget proposal developed by Gov. Baker and the second since his re-election in November...

After two consecutive fiscal years of above-trend tax growth and manageable spending increases, an initial analysis of the state’s finances suggests policymakers will face tough choices as they begin budget development for state fiscal year 2021. A...

Tax revenues will increase by approximately $615 million, or 2.0 percent, to $31.06 billion in fiscal 2021 according to a new forecast released today by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation at the state’s annual consensus revenue hearing. The...

Though the Commonwealth’s fiscal year 2019 ended June 30th, decisionmakers must make several important choices before the final accounting of the state’s finances for the year can be completed. Most importantly, lawmakers will determine how to...

Though the Commonwealth’s fiscal year 2019 ended June 30th, decisionmakers must make several important decisions before the final accounting of the state’s finances for the year can be completed. Most importantly, lawmakers will determine how to...

The Commonwealth Stabilization Fund, the state’s “rainy day” fund, is a critical component of the Commonwealth’s financial structure. For example, amid the Great Recession in fiscal 2009, budgeted tax revenue plummeted by nearly $2.7 billion compared...

Governor Charlie Baker signed his fifth General Appropriations Act (GAA) on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, giving his approval to $43.6 billion in spending appropriations. While choosing not to exercise his veto authority to reduce spending, the Governor...

Massachusetts legislators released their compromise plan for the fiscal 2020 budget, authorizing $43.6 billion in spending for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2019. The six-member budget conference committee reconciled the differences between the...

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts may be on track to end fiscal year 2019 with a surplus of approximately $522 million according to a new analysis. MTF outlined a framework for handling any fiscal 2019 surplus, including (1) Add to the state’s “rainy...