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
Obstacles on the Road to Opportunity: Finding a Way Forward for the Children and Families of Massachusetts
Data describing our communities document that opportunity is not equally available to children and families across the Commonwealth. While effective public policy removes obstacles along the road to opportunity, good jobs play a central role in paving that road. Yet economic policies have allowed wages to stagnate, and important work support programs and other essential benefits that allow children and families to thrive are at risk, especially as a result of recent federal policy.
Statement on Senate Ways and Means Committee’s FY 2021 Budget
Read the statement by Marie-Frances Rivera, president of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget), on the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget.
Testimony for the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, the Joint Committee on Revenue, and the Executive Office of Administration and Finance Economic Roundtable
We’re clearly in a budget crisis. Which is extremely troubling at this time, when we need real, comprehensive relief for families and individuals — so many of our neighbors, young and old, are struggling with accessing basic necessities and keeping healthy and well.
Our Commonwealth’s budget – how we raise revenue through taxes and fees, and how we spend that revenue – is the clearest picture of our shared values. Considering the revenue side picture is crucial, but the other side of the ledger is just, if not more important.
