Staff

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 reimagining 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

Nancy Wagman December 15, 2019 Kids Kids Featured

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 the Senate Ways and Means Budget Proposal

Marie-Frances Rivera May 9, 2023 Budget Resources Statement

The state budget process continues on as the Senate Ways and Means Committee (SWM) released its proposal for the State budget today. With recent news that year-to-date tax revenue collections are lower than expected, the Senate grapples with hard choices about the Commonwealth’s priorities.

Statement on the House Budget

Marie-Frances Rivera April 28, 2023 Budget Resources Statement

The final House version of the budget, at $56.2 billion, is $154 million larger than the Governor’s proposal. It includes notable amendments to the House Ways and Means proposal, but remains similar at its core.

Statement on the House Ways and Means Budget Proposal

Marie-Frances Rivera April 12, 2023 Budget Resources Statement

While this proposal includes some important investments and policies, both it and the Governor’s proposal are limited by a set of proposed regressive tax cuts.

Statement on the House Tax Reform Bill

Marie-Frances Rivera April 11, 2023 Statement Taxes

Meaningful credits for working families mixed with benefits solely for the wealthy – MassBudget reacts to House of Representatives’ recently released tax proposal.

Testimony to the Joint Committee on Revenue on the Governor’s Tax Proposals

Marie-Frances Rivera March 28, 2023 Taxes Testimony

Testimony presented to the Joint Committee on Revenue on March 28, 2023, regarding Governor Healey’s tax proposals.

Memo to Governor Healey on Ways to Ensure Effective Implementation of the Fair Share Amendment

Marie-Frances Rivera , Phineas Baxandall January 5, 2023 Budget Resources Education Taxes Transportation

As Massachusetts voters have amended the state constitution to include a 4 percent surtax on taxable income over $1 million, MassBudget would like to offer policy suggestions to assist the Commonwealth in protecting this revenue and ensuring that it is directed to education and transportation, as specified in the amendment.