State Budget
The state’s budget is a $50 billion+ opportunity, each year, to recommit to our values. MassBudget provides analysis and insights into how we can use the state budget as a tool to advance racial and economic justice in every corner of the Commonwealth.
Budget Browser
Antiracist Budget
Budget 101
Ongoing Tax Proposal Analysis
Estate Tax Cuts Worsen Our Large Racial Wealth Gap
If lawmakers cut the Massachusetts estate tax, it is a small number of high-income, white households that will receive the overwhelming share of the benefits. These cuts would worsen the problem of wealth inequality and undermine our ability to address the problem.
Estate Tax Cut Proposals Are Costly and Poorly Targeted – Alternative Solutions Exist
Current estate tax proposals would lead loss of state revenue would reduce the Commonwealth’s ability to make crucial investments, while having regressive impacts on racial and economic equity. The state should seek alternatives.
What’s Race Got to Do With It? Some Tax Proposals Would Widen Racial Inequality, Others Would Advance Equity
Some of the tax cuts proposed by the Massachusetts House in 2023 would widen economic and racial disparities by disproportionately benefiting wealthier, generally whiter households. Other proposed tax changes would advance equity and would disproportionately benefit households of color.
Comparing Tax Cut Proposals from 2022 to 2023
Massachusetts lawmakers have proposed tax policy changes in 2022 and 2023 that would reduce public revenue by large amounts—providing the most benefits to the most affluent households. This table compares the major, permanent tax cut packages proposed since last year.
Statement on the House Tax Reform Bill
Meaningful credits for working families mixed with benefits solely for the wealthy – MassBudget reacts to House of Representatives’ recently released tax proposal.
How Many Would Benefit from the Gov’s Child & Family Tax Credit?
The Governor’s proposed Child and Family Tax Credit would help families by providing $600 each year for each child under 13 and dependent adults over 65 years of age or with disabilities. This dashboard identifies – by legislative district – how many dependents would be eligible for the proposed Child and Family Tax Credit.
Testimony to the Joint Committee on Revenue on the Governor’s Tax Proposals
Testimony presented to the Joint Committee on Revenue on March 28, 2023, regarding Governor Healey’s tax proposals.
Taking Measure of the Governor’s Tax Plan
The Governor’s proposal would provide benefits to households across the income spectrum, but by far the largest benefits would accrue to a small number of very wealthy families.
Governor’s Estate Tax Plan Is Costly and Gives Biggest Breaks to Largest Estates – Better Options Exist
During the current legislative session, lawmakers will consider a number of proposals for changing the Massachusetts estate tax. Two proposals are compared here – one put forward by Governor Healey (H.42), and another, S.1784/H.2960, offered in the Senate and House.
Senate Budget
How Will We Spend Fair Share Dollars? Competing Proposals Highlight Needs and Opportunities
Fiscal Year 2024, which starts in July 2023, is the first state budget to include Fair Share dollars, and the Governor’s, House, and Senate budget proposals differ in how they would spend Fair Share funds. How do their priorities compare?
Statement on the Senate Ways and Means Budget Proposal
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.
House Budget
Statement on the House Budget
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
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
Meaningful credits for working families mixed with benefits solely for the wealthy – MassBudget reacts to House of Representatives’ recently released tax proposal.
Governor's Budget
How Many Would Benefit from the Gov’s Child & Family Tax Credit?
The Governor’s proposed Child and Family Tax Credit would help families by providing $600 each year for each child under 13 and dependent adults over 65 years of age or with disabilities. This dashboard identifies – by legislative district – how many dependents would be eligible for the proposed Child and Family Tax Credit.
Testimony to the Joint Committee on Revenue on the Governor’s Tax Proposals
Testimony presented to the Joint Committee on Revenue on March 28, 2023, regarding Governor Healey’s tax proposals.
Taking Measure of the Governor’s Tax Plan
The Governor’s proposal would provide benefits to households across the income spectrum, but by far the largest benefits would accrue to a small number of very wealthy families.
Governor’s Estate Tax Plan Is Costly and Gives Biggest Breaks to Largest Estates – Better Options Exist
During the current legislative session, lawmakers will consider a number of proposals for changing the Massachusetts estate tax. Two proposals are compared here – one put forward by Governor Healey (H.42), and another, S.1784/H.2960, offered in the Senate and House.
MassBudget’s Look at the Governor’s Budget Proposal
The governor’s budget proposal includes investments that will reduce some of the hardship faced by Bay Staters, but it also would deeply cut two major taxes for the wealthiest households, hurting our ability to fund those investments long-term.
Statement on Governor Healey’s Budget Proposal
Important investments and missed opportunities – MassBudget reacts to the Governor’s budget proposal.
