Tag Archives: Massachusetts Budget Crisis

The Boston Foundation Education Health Care Report

Posted on January 9, 2011 by billmanzi

The Boston Foundation and the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education issued a report last month dealing with education funding in Massachusetts. The report looked at the financial impacts of the Education Reform Act, and how the larger amounts of state … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Massachusetts Fiscal Forecasts

Posted on December 21, 2010 by billmanzi

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, following the consensus revenue hearings on Beacon Hill, has released a primer on the outlook for the next fiscal cycle in Massachusetts, with the forecast looking less than rosy. The outlook is cloudy despite a pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

States Begin to Teeter

Posted on December 20, 2010 by billmanzi

A pretty good 60 Minutes report showing some of the real budgetary problems facing states and localities, with a prominent role for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The State of Massachusetts is looking at a $1.5 to $2 billion dollar … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, National News, State News | Tagged | 2 Comments

State Finds New Red Ink

Posted on March 19, 2010 by billmanzi

Massachusetts yesterday announced a new budget shortfall for this fiscal cycle, with Secretary Gonzalez indicating that the shortfall could be up to $295 million, leading to charges by Charlie Baker of fiscal ineptitude by the Governor. From the Baker campaign: … Continue reading →

Posted in State News | Tagged , | 3 Comments

The Governor Spares Local Aid

Posted on October 30, 2009 by billmanzi

Governor Deval Patrick unveiled his plan to close a $600 million dollar budget gap yesterday, sparing the main local aid accounts and imposing varied cuts against state spending, including the potential for 2000 state layoffs. The Governor was and is … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 2 Comments

State Budget Cuts Coming

Posted on October 18, 2009 by billmanzi

The Governor last week, in light of poor tax collection data, has been forced to once again downgrade state revenue estimates, calling for a $600 million dollar budget reduction in order to achieve balance at the lower number. He will … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Unspoken Truth

Posted on October 5, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Globe has a column by Sam Allis talking about what no one else seems to want to talk about, the spiraling and unsustainable numbers involved in municipal health care and pensions. Allis centers his discussion on the Mayor’s race … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

September Revenues Take a Hit

Posted on September 30, 2009 by billmanzi

Massachusetts revenues have fallen substantially below budget projections in September, with estimates that the gap could be as high as $200 million. Final figures for the month are not complete, but the figures in hand have set off alarm bells … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 6 Comments

The Transportation Dance

Posted on May 28, 2009 by billmanzi

The Transportation funding disputes continue to fester on Beacon Hill, with the Governor and Senate leadership continuing to squabble, issue statements, issue clarifications to statements, and when all else fails issue statements assigning blame to each other. After the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Sales Tax Increase Passes Senate

Posted on May 19, 2009 by billmanzi

The increase in the sales tax passed the State Senate tonight, increasing the rate to 6.25%. This increase is exactly what the House passed, and guarantees the Governor will be faced with the issue of holding to his veto threat … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, State News | Tagged , | 4 Comments