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Roughly speaking, half of the Commonwealth’s budgeted spending goes through agencies that primarily serve the needs of the less advantaged — through the subsidized health plans, public assistance, and other social services, including housing and subisidized day care. The answer appears to be Yes in the sense that we face needs that considerably exceed revenue as we prepare the 2009 budget and look out over the next few years. Analysis of state spending trends by major category. Taxes, fees, lottery profits and grants from the federal government comprise the bulk of the available revenue for budgeting. In the annual budget of the Commonwealth, the legislature provides for the primary governmental activities of the Commonwealth, the legislative, executive and judiciary branches. In Massachusetts, in addition to the three constitutional branches of state government — legislative, executive and judiciary — the legislature has established 56 independent authorities and agencies. These authorities and agencies have varying degrees of financial integration with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts itself. The attached letter doesn’t specify a particular date or give any particular |