Uncompetitiveness and incompetence driving budget shortfall

DOR data shows the cost of high taxes & lack of action

  The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance (MassFiscal) made the following statement after the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) released their April numbers, which show Massachusetts falling below the expected mark in tax collections. According to the released data, Massachusetts saw revenues come in roughly $2.2 billion lower than in April 2023, and $1.6 billion below what they had originally projected to raise in April.

  “A year ago, Maura Healey, Ron Mariano and Karen Spilka all advocated for the passage of the income tax surcharge. Today, we learn about the consequences of their foolish policy decision,” stated MassFiscal Spokesperson/Board Member Paul D. Craney.

  “While April’s DOR numbers are showing signs of an economic downturn, don’t let legislative leaders fool you into thinking the minor tax relief bill they are working on should be the first on the chopping block. The House just passed a bloated $56.2B budget full of earmarks and pet projects. There are some people on Beacon Hill that will try to use this data to tell Massachusetts taxpayers that they just don’t have the money for tax relief now, but it’s only through significant tax cuts and eliminations that will keep people here,” continued Craney.

  “While they agonize over passing modest tax relief, the state is hemorrhaging taxpayers to NH and FL. Instead of taking action to keep people here, they work to pass the largest budgets in our state history with enormous increases over just last year. These are demonstrations of inept policy leaders who cannot rise to the challenges that are before them,” concluded Craney.

  MassFiscal advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our Commonwealth.