A conversation is developing about the gas tax and also about how to protect low and middle-income tax payers from additional financial stress.
Budget
budget and local aid updates, community preservation act, financial outlook, local aid policy, priorities/requests, resources, revenue, taxes
Cutting the state budget
Observations about where Massachusetts stands in the crisis, how the state is responding, and how the cuts affects our local communities.
Cautious moves in uncertain times — the FY2009 budget
There is a consensus among the state’s leaders on three major points: The electorate will not take kindly to any broad-based new taxes, at least not unless we decisively curb practices perceived as abusive – unreasonable pension deals, overuse of police details, etc. Second, we need to find a way to control health care costs. Third, many legitimate state needs are unmet.
What is the outlook for local aid in FY2009
March 12, 2009, the House voted to match the local aid levels proposed in the Governor’s budget — relatively substantial overall increases in Chapter 70 and a protection of municipalities from …
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FY2009 Local Aid Resolution
Today or possibly tomorrow the House will vote a local aid resolution which gives the Chapter 70 increases promised in the Governor’s budget and holds Lottery and Addtional Assistance level …
How does the House of Representatives propose to close the FY2009 budget gap?
The major elements of the emerging House approach to the budget are essentially the same as in the Governor’s proposal, except that, instead of casino revenues, the House proposes to …
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