Marie-Frances Rivera
President
Marie-Frances Rivera is President at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.
Marie-Frances is leading MassBudget at a time when the people of Massachusetts are reimaging ways to achieve a truly equitable and inclusive economy and society. Her experience guiding powerful, multidisciplinary teams around a collective vision and action is transforming the organization and policy discussions in Massachusetts. Under her leadership, the organization continues to build bridges and partnerships with community leaders, elected officials, labor and business leaders to ensure state policy helps achieve equitable outcomes for all.
Marie-Frances, a native of New Bedford, MA and of Afro-Boricua descent, joined MassBudget in 2014. The daughter of an immigrant mother, she grew up in public housing, attended public schools, and deeply understands the need to invest in the public good – so children and families can thrive.
Her professional experiences in the non-profit and philanthropic sectors have grounded her in the power that race-forward policy research can have when coupled with authentic civic engagement to move the needle on racial and economic justice issues.
Marie-Frances has written on tax policy and other economic issues. She earned a master’s degree in Law and Public Policy from Northeastern University and has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Babson College.
Recent
Statement on Governor Baker’s Revised FY 2021 Budget Recommendation
Read the statement by Marie-Frances Rivera, president of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget), on Governor Baker’s revised Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Recommendation.
Letter: Vulnerable communities badly need assistance
Hardship is widespread, but Black, Latinx, indigenous and immigrant families have been particularly hard hit, with the crisis exacerbating long-standing inequities in health care, education, employment, and housing that stem largely from structural racism. Our community partners have shared countless stories about the persistent trauma facing kids and families in their communities. We must act now.
The country and commonwealth that I love and care for support people who are going hungry, losing their homes and jobs. Federal policymakers must act, by ensuring that all those who need it get direct cash and other supports to meet their basic needs. Additional federal aid is a clear-cut solution to keep people safe and get our economy back on track.
The federal government must step in to assist those in need during pandemic, not play political games (Letters)
The Republican and MassLive, September 21, 2020
With 11.3% unemployment, MA has one of the highest rates in the nation. Almost 1 in 12 Massachusetts adults with children say they can’t afford enough food for their kids, and 1 in 7 renters are behind on rent, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Hardship is widespread, but Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and immigrant families have been particularly hard hit, with the crisis exacerbating long-standing inequities in health care, education, employment, and housing that stem largely from structural racism. Our community partners have shared countless stories about the persistent trauma facing kids and families in their communities. We must act now.
