Phineas Baxandall

Picture of Phineas Baxandall
Phineas Baxandall, PhD is the Policy Director at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

Dr. Phineas Baxandall has a long history as a researcher deeply involved in improving policy, especially at the state level and in Massachusetts. In his nearly eight years at MassBudget, Dr. Baxandall has served in numerous leadership capacities. In September 2023, he was named the organization’s Interim President, before returning to his role as Policy Director the following year.

His policy knowledge and advocacy acumen have been instrumental in the organization’s greatest achievements. During his tenure, Dr. Baxandall’s extensive policy expertise has ensured that MassBudget’s research and analysis, communications, advocacy, and partnership building are of the highest caliber.

Before joining MassBudget, Dr. Baxandall directed the Transportation and Tax & Budget programs for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group and its network of 30 state affiliate organizations. His track record also includes work at the Taubman Center for State and Local Government and the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. At Harvard he also taught for eight years for the Committee for Degrees in Social Studies, where he lectured on social policy and political economy. Dr. Baxandall earned a PhD from MIT in Political Science and a B.A. from Wesleyan University.

He has authored over 100 publications, from action-oriented policy reports, to peer-reviewed journal articles and an academic book on the political economy of unemployment. He has taken part in several government working groups and is a regular commentator in Massachusetts news outlets.

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Testimony in support of An Act relative to the repeal of the sales tax exemption for aircraft and An Act to repeal the sales tax exemption for aircraft

Thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony on behalf of the Massachusetts Budget andPolicy Center (MassBudget) in support of H.3123/S.1923: An Act relative ...
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Payouts and Risks in Massachusetts’s Gambling Revenue

Key Takeaways The Lottery, casinos, and sports betting together generate $1.5 billion in annual taxes, the state’s fourth largest source of revenue. The Lottery is ...
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Fare-Free Public Buses are Yielding Results in Southeastern MA

Since 2024, residents and visitors in Southern Massachusetts step onto public buses and shuttles without a thought because fares have been eliminated - and the ...
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What Does Massachusetts Transportation Funding Support and What Are the Revenue Sources?

Where do the resources come from to operate our state's transportation system, and where is the money spent?
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Testimony to the Massachusetts Poverty Commission

On September 25, 2024, Policy Director Phineas Baxandall testified before the Massachusetts Poverty Commission. His comments focus on the differences between income and wealth, and ...
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Testimony in Support of “An Act Relative to Property Tax Classification in the City of Boston” (HB.4805)

MassBudget's Phineas Baxandall testifies: Allow Boston to protect residents against a big property tax increase resulting from lower business taxes.
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Presentation – Transportation Funding: Context, Challenges & Progress

On June 24, 2024, Policy Director Phineas Baxandall joined Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA)'s community conversation on transportation funding. Baxandall focused on how Fair Share spending ...
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Presentation: A $20 Minimum Wage – Lessons Learned and Anticipated Impact

On April 23, 2024, Interim President Phineas Baxandall gave a legislative briefing examining the potential impacts of increasing the state minimum wage to $20 per ...
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Presentation: Ending the Tax Penalty Against Working Immigrants

On March 14, 2024, Interim President Phineas Baxandall joined the Black and Latino Caucus and the Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition at the Statehouse for ...
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Ending the Tax Penalty Against Working Immigrants

Extending EITC eligibility to all workers filing taxes, regardless of their immigration status, would increase its impact, help expand economic opportunity, and support low- and ...
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