Massachusetts state budget (2008-2009)
| Note: This article was last updated in 2009. Click here for more recent information on state budgets and finances. |
Massachusetts faced a $1.1 billion deficit for fiscal year 2009 and a $3.5 billion cut in projected spending for fiscal year 2010's budget.[1]
Budget background
- See also: Massachusetts state budget and finances
Massachusetts' fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The governor submits his recommended budget in January or early February. The House Ways and Means Committee reviews this budget and then develops its own recommendation. Once the committee finishes its review, the budget is passed to the full House, which then passes the bill to the Senate's Ways and Means Committee. The Senate makes the final adjustments to the bill before passing it on to the governor. The governor has 10 days to review and approve it or make vetoes or reductions. The governor may approve or veto the entire budget or may veto or reduce certain line items or sections, but may not add anything. The House and Senate may vote to override the governor's vetoes. Overrides require a two-thirds majority in each chamber.[2]
- Between fiscal years 2006-2009, the Massachusetts budget grew by 20%, according to the Tax Foundation.[3]
- At the end of 2008, the budget deficit stood at $1.4 billion.[3]
- Fiscal year 2009 spending increased by 1.6% in 2008.[4]
Budget figures
The following table presents Massachusetts' spending history. The figures used are in millions of dollars:[5]
| Fiscal year | Nominal government spending | Real government spending | Real change from prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 31,694.416[5] | 34,213.722[5] | 0.1% |
| 2007 | 29,913.923[5] | 34,194.834[5] | 7.5% |
| 2006 | 26,592.198[5] | 31,811.763[5] | 0.6% |
| 2005 | 24,846.982[5] | 31,610.590[5] | 0.8% |
| 2004 | 23,331.771[5] | 31,350.891[5] | -2.2% |
| 2003 | 23,011.620[5] | 32,046.556[5] | -4.7% |
| 2002 | 23,289.777[5] | 33,617.370[5] | 0.7% |
| 2001 | 22,655.934[5] | 33,396.954[5] | n/a |
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ UK.Reuters.com, "Massachusetts unveils plan to close $1.1 bln deficit," January 28, 2009
- ↑ State of Massachusetts, "FY2010 Budget Process Begins," accessed March 10,2009 (dead link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tax Foundation, "State Budget Shortfalls Present A Tax Reform Opportunity," February 2009 (dead link)
- ↑ Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, "FY 2009 Budget Summary," December 31, 2008
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Online Budget Database, results derived when searching for "Select All Items" between the years 2001 and 2008
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