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Revision as of 22:57, 8 March 2017
This article does not contain the most recently published data on this subject. If you would like to help our coverage grow, consider donating to Ballotpedia.
The historical Massachusetts budget and finance information below applies to years prior to the most current fiscal year. With the exception of the tab labeled "Prior fiscal year budgets," the tabs below display information, from several different fiscal years, as it was presented on Ballotpedia in prior calendar years. For more current information regarding Massachusetts' budget and finances, click here.
As published 2015
|
The information on this tab contains:
|
Between fiscal years 2013 and 2014, total government spending in Massachusetts increased by approximately $1.1 billion, from $55.8 billion in fiscal year 2013 to an estimated $56.9 billion in 2014. This represents a 2 percent increase. The cumulative rate of inflation during the same period was 1.58 percent, calculated using the Consumer Price Indices for January 2013 and January 2014. As of 2014, financial services firm Standard and Poor's had assigned Massachusetts a credit rating of AA+.[1][2][3]
Spending
Definitions
The following terms are used to describe a state's finances:
- Revenues come mainly from tax collections, licensing fees, federal aid, and returns on investments.
- Expenditures generally include spending on government salaries, infrastructure, education, public pensions, public assistance, corrections, Medicaid, and transportation.
- State debt refers to the money borrowed to make up for a deficit when revenues do not cover spending.
- The state credit rating is the grade given by a credit rating agency based on the general financial health of the state's government and economy.
- State funds include general and other state-based funds. A general fund is "the predominant fund for financing a state's operations." Other state funds are "restricted by law for particular governmental functions or activities."[4]
- Federal funds are "funds received directly from the federal government."[4]
- Total spending is calculated by adding together the totals for state and federal funds used for expenditures.
2014 expenditures
- See also: Total state expenditures
The table below breaks down estimated spending totals for fiscal year 2014 (comparable figures from surrounding states are included to provide additional context). Figures for all columns except "Population” and “Per capita spending" are rendered in millions of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000,000). Figures in the columns labeled "Population” and “Per capita spending" have not been abbreviated.[3]
Estimated per capita spending in Massachusetts in fiscal year 2014 was $8,433, a higher figure than in any neighboring state.
| Total estimated state spending, FY 2014 ($ in millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | State funds | Federal funds | Total spending | Population | Per capita spending |
| Massachusetts | $41,752 | $15,135 | $56,887 | 6,745,408 | $8,433.44 |
| Connecticut | $20,938 | $5,501 | $26,439 | 3,596,677 | $7,350.95 |
| Maine | $5,330 | $2,696 | $8,026 | 1,330,089 | $6,034.18 |
| New Hampshire | $3,375 | $1,703 | $5,078 | 1,326,813 | $3,827.22 |
| Rhode Island | $5,259 | $2,543 | $7,802 | 1,055,173 | $7,394.05 |
| Per-capita figures are calculated by taking the state's total spending and dividing by the number of state residents according to United States Census Bureau estimates.[5] Source: National Association of State Budget Officers | |||||
Spending by function
State spending in Massachusetts can be further broken down by function (elementary and secondary education, public assistance, etc.). Fiscal year 2013 information is included in the table below (information from neighboring states is provided for additional context). Figures are rendered as percentages, indicating the share of the total budget spent per category.[3]
In Massachusetts in fiscal year 2013, Medicaid accounted for 18.7 percent of total state spending, a smaller share than in any neighboring state.
| State spending by function as a percent of total expenditures, FY 2013 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | K-12 education | Higher education | Public assistance | Medicaid | Corrections | Trans- portation |
Other |
| Massachusetts | 11.2% | 10.1% | 2.7% | 18.7% | 2.3% | 6.6% | 48.5% |
| Connecticut | 14.1% | 10.6% | 1.4% | 21.8% | 2.3% | 9.7% | 40.2% |
| Maine | 16.9% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 32.7% | 1.8% | 8.2% | 34.6% |
| New Hampshire | 23.4% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 25.6% | 2.% | 10.% | 35.% |
| Rhode Island | 14.9% | 13.% | 1.4% | 24.8% | 2.6% | 6.3% | 37.% |
| Source: National Association of State Budget Officers Note: "Other" expenditures include "Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), institutional and community care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, public health programs, employer contributions to pensions and health benefits, economic development, environmental projects, state police, parks and recreation, housing and general aid to local governments."[3] | |||||||
Spending trends
Between 2009 and 2012, the share of the Massachusetts state budget spent on K-12 education decreased from 13 percent to 11.2 percent. See the table below for further details (figures are rendered as percentages, indicating the share of the total budget spent per category).[3][6][7][8][9]
| Spending by function from 2009 to 2013 (as percentages) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | K-12 education | Higher education | Public assistance | Medicaid | Corrections | Transportation | Other |
| 2013 | 11.2% | 10.1% | 2.7% | 18.7% | 2.3% | 6.6% | 48.5% |
| 2012 | 10.7% | 9.3% | 2.5% | 20.7% | 2.1% | 6.2% | 48.6% |
| 2011 | 11.6% | 9.9% | 2.4% | 19.2% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 48.3% |
| 2010 | 12.9% | 7.9% | 2.5% | 18.8% | 2.5% | 6.9% | 48.6% |
| 2009 | 13.0% | 9.3% | 3.1% | 17.7% | 2.6% | 5.4% | 49.0% |
| Source: National Association of State Budget Officers Note: "Other" expenditures include "Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), institutional and community care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, public health programs, employer contributions to pensions and health benefits, economic development, environmental projects, state police, parks and recreation, housing and general aid to local governments."[3] | |||||||
Revenues
2013 revenues
The table below breaks down state government tax collections by source in 2013 (comparable figures from surrounding states are also provided to give additional context). Figures for all columns except "Population" and "Per capita revenue" are rendered in thousands of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000). Figures in the columns labeled "Population" and "Per capita revenue" have not been abbreviated.[10]
In Massachusetts in 2013, total state tax collections amounted to $23.9 billion. Per capita tax collections were $3,563.
| State tax collections by source ($ in thousands) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Property taxes | Sales and gross receipts | Licenses | Individual income taxes | Corporation net income taxes | Other taxes | Total | 2013 population | Per capita collections |
| Massachusetts | $4,795 | $7,455,326 | $945,922 | $12,876,192 | $1,888,449 | $730,363 | $23,901,047 | 6,708,874 | $3,562.6 |
| Connecticut | N/A | $6,746,968 | $453,112 | $7,811,949 | $572,628 | $551,859 | $16,136,516 | 3,599,341 | $4,483.19 |
| Maine | $38,636 | $1,779,873 | $260,918 | $1,531,504 | $171,987 | $101,532 | $3,884,450 | 1,328,702 | $2,923.49 |
| New Hampshire | $400,369 | $945,290 | $272,852 | $99,027 | $553,197 | $99,368 | $2,370,103 | 1,322,616 | $1,791.98 |
| Rhode Island | $2,331 | $1,516,423 | $138,518 | $1,088,992 | $144,310 | $49,859 | $2,940,433 | 1,053,354 | $2,791.5 |
| Source: Tax Policy Center, "State Tax Collection Sources 2000-2013," June 20, 2014 | |||||||||
The table below lists 2013 tax collections by source as percentages of total collections. In Massachusetts, sales taxes and gross receipts accounted for 31.2 percent of total state tax collections, a smaller share than in any neighboring state..[10]
| State tax collections by source (as percentages) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Property taxes | Sales and gross receipts | Licenses | Individual income taxes | Corporation net income taxes | Other taxes |
| Massachusetts | .02% | 31.19% | 3.96% | 53.87% | 7.9% | 3.06% |
| Connecticut | N/A | 41.81% | 2.81% | 48.41% | 3.55% | 3.42% |
| Maine | .99% | 45.82% | 6.72% | 39.43% | 4.43% | 2.61% |
| New Hampshire | 16.89% | 39.88% | 11.51% | 4.18% | 23.34% | 4.19% |
| Rhode Island | .08% | 51.57% | 4.71% | 37.04% | 4.91% | 1.7% |
| Source: Tax Policy Center, "State Tax Collection Sources 2000-2013," June 20, 2014 | ||||||
State debt
- See also: State debt
According to a January 2014 report by the nonprofit organization State Budget Solutions, Massachusetts had a state debt of approximately $129.6 billion. Its state debt per capita was $19,493. In this report for fiscal year 2012, state debt was calculated based on four components: "market-valued unfunded public pension liabilities, outstanding government debt, unfunded other post employment benefit (OPEB) liabilities, and outstanding unemployment trust fund loans." The report revealed that altogether state governments faced a combined $5.1 trillion in debt, which amounted to $16,178 per capita in the nation.[11][12]
| Total 2012 state debt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Total state debt | State debt per capita | Per capita debt ranking |
| Massachusetts | $129,550,263,000 | $19,493 | 12 |
| Connecticut | $112,372,072,000 | $31,298 | 3 |
| Maine | $16,717,250,000 | $12,577 | 35 |
| New Hampshire | $18,425,567,000 | $13,951 | 27 |
| Rhode Island | $18,863,153,000 | $17,960 | 16 |
| Sources: State Budget Solutions, "State Budget Solutions' Fourth Annual State Debt Report," January 8, 2014 | |||
Public pensions
Between fiscal years 2008 and 2012, the funded ratio of Massachusetts' state-administered pension plans decreased from 80.49 percent to 66.4 percent. The state paid 87 percent of its annual required contribution, and for fiscal year 2012 the pension system's unfunded accrued liability totaled $21.6 billion. This amounted to $3,338 in unfunded liabilities per capita.[13][14]
Credit ratings
- See also: State credit ratings
Credit rating agencies, such as Standard and Poor's, assign grades to states that take into account a state's ability to pay debts and the general health of the state's economy. Generally speaking, a higher credit rating indicates lower interest costs on the general obligation bonds states sometimes sell to investors in order to finance large-scale undertakings (e.g., road construction and other public works projects). This in turn results in lower interest costs, thereby lowering the cost to taxpayers.[15][16]
The table below lists the Standard and Poor's credit ratings for Massachusetts and surrounding states from 2004 to 2014. Standard and Poor's grades range from AAA, the highest available, to BBB, the lowest.[17]
| State credit ratings, 2004 to 2014 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Massachusetts | AA+ | AA+ | AA+ | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA- |
| Connecticut | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA |
| Maine | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA- | AA- | AA |
| New Hampshire | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA |
| Rhode Island | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA | AA- |
| Source: Stateline: The Daily News Service of The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001-2014," June 9, 2014 | |||||||||||
Federal aid to the state budget
- See also: Federal aid to state budgets
State governments receive aid from the federal government to fund a variety of joint programs, such as Medicaid. Federal aid varies considerably from state to state. For example, Mississippi received approximately $7.7 billion in federal aid in 2012, which accounted for more than 45 percent of the state's general revenues. By contrast, Alaska received roughly $2.9 billion in federal aid in 2012, just under 20 percent of the state's general revenues.[18]
The table below notes what share of Massachusetts’ general revenues came from the federal government in 2012. That year, Massachusetts received approximately $12.9 billion in federal aid, 28.8 percent of the state's total general revenues. Figures from surrounding states are provided for additional context.[18]
| Federal aid to state budgets, 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| State | Total federal aid ($ in thousands) | Federal aid as a % of general revenue | Ranking |
| Massachusetts | $12,920,153 | 28.8% | 36 |
| Connecticut | $5,781,844 | 23.59% | 47 |
| Maine | $2,883,526 | 36.15% | 12 |
| New Hampshire | $1,693,289 | 29.02% | 34 |
| Rhode Island | $2,310,656 | 33.76% | 23 |
| Source: United States Census Bureau, "State Government Finances: 2012," accessed February 24, 2014 | |||
Stimulus
As of 2013, Massachusetts had received over $7 billion in federal stimulus funding.[19]
Budget process
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[20]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in mid-November of the year preceding the start of the new fiscal year.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature on the fourth Wednesday in January.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in June. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins July 1.
Massachusetts is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[20][21]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is legally required to pass a balanced budget.[20]
Agencies, offices, and committees
The following standing committees in the Massachusetts State Legislature deal with budget and finance matters:[22][23][24]
- Revenue Joint Committee, Massachusetts State Legislature
- Ways and Means Committee, Massachusetts House of Representatives
- Ways and Means Committee, Massachusetts State Senate
Studies and reports
U.S. PIRG "Following the Money" report
- See also: "Following the Money" report, 2014
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer-focused nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., released its annual report on state transparency websites in April 2014. The report, entitled "Following the Money," measured the transparency and accountability of state websites with regard to state government spending.[25] According to the report, Massachusetts received a grade of A- and a numerical score of 90.5, indicating that Massachusetts was leading in terms of transparency regarding state spending.[25]
As published 2014
Between fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2013, Massachusetts' total expenditures increased by approximately $11.656 billion, from $48.642 billion in 2009 to $60.298 billion in 2013. This represented a 23.96 percent increase, outpacing the cumulative rate of inflation during the same period (9.06 percent, calculated using the Consumer Price Indices for January 2009 and January 2013).[26][27]
Spending
Definitions
Although each state executes its budget process differently, the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) breaks down state expenditures into four general categories. This allows for comparisons among the 50 states. NASBO's categories are as follows:[28]
- General fund: "The predominant fund for financing a state’s operations. Revenues are received from broad-based state taxes. However, there are differences in how specific functions are financed from state to state."[28]
- Other funds: "Expenditures from revenue sources that are restricted by law for particular governmental functions or activities. For example, a gasoline tax dedicated to a highway trust fund would appear in the 'Other funds' column. For Medicaid, other state funds include provider taxes, fees, donations, assessments, and local funds."[28]
- Federal funds: "Funds received directly from the federal government."[28]
- Bonds: "Expenditures from the sale of bonds, generally for capital projects."[28]
2013
The table below breaks down expenditures for fiscal year 2013 (comparable figures from surrounding states are provided to give additional context).[28] Figures for all columns except "Per capita expenditures" are rendered in millions of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000,000). Figures in the column labeled "Per capita expenditures" have not been abbreviated.
| Total state expenditures, FY 2013 ($ in millions)[28] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | General fund | Federal funds | Other funds | Bonds | Total | Per capita expenditures | |
| Massachusetts | $25,509 | $15,548 | $17,135 | $2,106 | $60,298 | $9,009.35 | |
| Connecticut | $19,030 | $2,555 | $3,618 | $2,935 | $28,138 | $7,824.63 | |
| Maine | $3,042 | $2,564 | $2,176 | $16 | $7,798 | $5,870.65 | |
| New Hampshire | $1,262 | $1,601 | $2,080 | $81 | $5,024 | $3,796.11 | |
| Rhode Island | $3,268 | $2,659 | $2,122 | $84 | $8,133 | $7,734.58 | |
| Per-capita figures are calculated by taking the state's total expenditures and dividing by the number of state residents according to United States Census estimates.[29] Source: National Association of State Budget Officers | |||||||
Spending by function
2012
Source: National Association of State Budget Officers
State expenditures in Massachusetts can be further broken down by function (elementary and secondary education, public assistance, etc.). Fiscal year 2012 data is included in the table below (information from neighboring states is provided for additional context). Figures are rendered as percentages, indicating the share of the total budget spent per category.
| Expenditures by function, FY 2012 (as percentages)[28] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Elementary and secondary ed. | Higher ed. | Public assistance | Medicaid | Corrections | Transportation | Other |
| Massachusetts | 10.7% | 9.3% | 2.5% | 20.7% | 2.1% | 6.2% | 48.6% |
| Connecticut | 13.9% | 10.3% | 1.4% | 21.4% | 2.5% | 10.0% | 40.6% |
| Maine | 13.1% | 3.4% | 2.6% | 28.8% | 1.7% | 8.6% | 41.8% |
| New Hampshire | 23.5% | 2.7% | 1.9% | 23.9% | 2.1% | 10.1% | 35.9% |
| Rhode Island | 14.2% | 13.2% | 1.4% | 25.0% | 2.4% | 6.5% | 37.4% |
| Source: National Association of State Budget Officers Note: "Other" expenditures include "Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), institutional and community care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, public health programs, employer contributions to pensions and health benefits, economic development, environmental projects, state police, parks and recreation, housing and general aid to local governments."[28] | |||||||
Spending trends
From 2008 to 2012, elementary and secondary education spending fell by 3.20 percentage points, or 23 percent, as a share of the budget. During the same period, Medicaid spending rose by two percentage points, or 10.7 percent, as a share of the budget. The table below details changes in expenditures from 2008 to 2012.[28][6][7][8][9] Figures are rendered as percentages, indicating the share of the total budget spent per category.
| Expenditures from 2008 to 2012 (as percentages) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Elementary and secondary ed. | Higher ed. | Public assistance | Medicaid | Corrections | Transportation | Other |
| 2012 | 10.7% | 9.3% | 2.5% | 20.7% | 2.1% | 6.2% | 48.6% |
| 2011 | 11.6% | 9.9% | 2.4% | 19.2% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 48.3% |
| 2010 | 12.9% | 7.9% | 2.5% | 18.8% | 2.5% | 6.9% | 48.6% |
| 2009 | 13.0% | 9.3% | 3.1% | 17.7% | 2.6% | 5.4% | 49.0% |
| 2008 | 13.9% | 9.7% | 3.1% | 18.7% | 2.8% | 5.6% | 46.2% |
| Change in % | -3.20% | -0.40% | -0.60% | 2.00% | -0.70% | 0.60% | 2.40% |
| Source: National Association of State Budget Officers Note: "Other" expenditures include "Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), institutional and community care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, public health programs, employer contributions to pensions and health benefits, economic development, environmental projects, state police, parks and recreation, housing and general aid to local governments."[28] | |||||||
Revenues
Source: National Association of State Budget Officers
The table below breaks down general fund revenues by source in fiscal year 2013 (comparable figures from surrounding states are also provided to give additional context).[28] Figures for all columns except "Per capita revenue" are rendered in millions of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000,000). Figures in the column labeled "Per capita revenue" have not been abbreviated.
| Revenue sources in the general fund, FY 2013 ($ in millions)[28] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Sales tax | Personal income tax | Corporate income tax | Gaming tax | Other taxes and fees | Total | Per capita revenue |
| Massachusetts | $5,164 | $12,831 | $1,822 | $0 | $7,352 | $27,169 | $4,059.42 |
| Connecticut | $3,857 | $8,719 | $742 | $612 | $5,437 | $19,366 | $5,385.31 |
| Maine | $1,034 | $1,495 | $171 | $0 | $351 | $3,051 | $2,296.92 |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $0 | $552 | $3 | $1,728 | $2,283 | $1,725.03 |
| Rhode Island | $873 | $1,075 | $137 | $1 | $1,238 | $3,324 | $3,161.17 |
| Per-capita figures are calculated by taking the state's total revenues and dividing by the number of state residents according to United States Census estimates for 2013.[29] Source: National Association of State Budget Officers | |||||||
Revenue trends
The table below details the change in revenue sources in the general fund from 2009 to 2013.[28][6] Figures for all columns except "Per capita revenue" are rendered in millions of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000,000). Figures in the column labeled "Per capita revenue" have not been abbreviated.
| Revenue sources in the general fund, Massachusetts ($ in millions)[28][6] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Sales tax | Personal income tax | Corporate income tax | Gaming tax | Other taxes and fees | Total | Per capita revenue |
| 2013 | $5,164 | $12,831 | $1,822 | $0 | $7,352 | $27,169 | $4,059.42 |
| 2012 | $5,059 | $11,911 | $1,771 | $0 | $7,304 | $26,046 | $3,919.46 |
| 2011 | $4,905 | $11,576 | $1,951 | $0 | $6,765 | $25,197 | $3,814.10 |
| 2010 | $4,612 | $10,110 | $1,600 | $0 | $2,222 | $18,544 | $2,825.42 |
| 2009 | $3,869 | $10,584 | $1,549 | $0 | $2,259 | $18,259 | $2,769.21 |
| Change in % | 33.47% | 21.23% | 17.62% | 0.00% | 225.45% | 48.80% | 46.59% |
| Per-capita figures are calculated by taking the state's total revenues and dividing by the number of state residents according to United States Census estimates.[29][30] Source: National Association of State Budget Officers | |||||||
Historical spending
The information on state budget historical spending below was compiled by the National Association of State Budget Officers. Figures reflect the reported "Total Expenditures" in Table 1. Figures for all columns are rendered in millions of dollars (for example, $2,448 translates to $2,448,000,000).[28][7]
| Historical state spending in Massachusetts ($ in millions) | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiscal year | General Fund | Other funds | Federal funds | Bonds | Budget totals | ||||||||||||
| Total | % of Budget | Total | % of Budget | Total | % of Budget | Total | % of Budget | ||||||||||
| 2011-2012 | $24,011 | 41% | $16,935 | 29% | $16,157 | 27% | $2,168 | 4% | $59,271 | ||||||||
| 2010-2011 | $21,997 | 40% | $18,570 | 33% | $13,088 | 24% | $1,919 | 3% | $55,574 | ||||||||
| 2009-2010 | $21,874 | 43% | $15,088 | 29% | $12,481 | 24% | $1,835 | 4% | $51,278 | ||||||||
| Averages: | $22,627 | 41% | $16,864 | 30% | $13,909 | 25% | $1,974 | 4% | $55,374 | ||||||||
Budget transparency
| Transparency evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Informed Massachusetts | |
| Searchability | |
| Grants | |
| Contracts | |
| Line item expenditures | |
| Dept./agency budgets | |
| Public employee salaries | |
| Last evaluated in 2012. | |
The state maintains an official transparency website called Informed Massachusetts. The table to the right is helpful in evaluating the level of transparency provided by the site.
The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, which "provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies," tracks actual spending in real and nominal terms using a "Budget Browser."[31]
Multi-measure budget transparency profile
The Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois created a multi-measure transparency profile for Massachusetts, which measured state transparency as of September 2011 using indicators from a range of organizations. These indicators measured both website transparency and other recognized facets of governmental transparency. In addition, IGPA presented four unique indicators of non-transparency based on the observation that transfers or reassignments between general and special funds can obscure the true fiscal condition of a state.[32][33]
IGPA devised a budget transparency index based on information available from the National Association of State Budget Officers. Massachusetts tied for 20th in the nation with 12 other states, earning five out of eight possible points.[33]
| Massachusetts - IGPA score for budget process, contents and disclosure | |
|---|---|
| Budget transparency indicator | Yes or no? |
| Performance measures | |
| "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" budget | |
| Multi-year forecasting | |
| Annual cycle | |
| Binding revenue forecast | |
| Legislative revenue forecast | |
| Nonpartisan staff | |
| Constitution or statutory tax/spend limitations | |
| TOTAL | 5 |
In addition to the individual state profile, IGPA offers a 50-state comparison and profiles for other states.[33]
Prior fiscal year budgets
Fiscal year 2016
See budget bill: HB 3650
Governor Charlie Baker announced his fiscal year 2016 budget proposal on March 4, 2015. This proposal would have increased total spending by about 3 percent by raising funding for local aid, education and transportation. The proposed budget would have also eliminated the state's tax credit for the film industry and expanded the state's earned income tax credit. The plan would have also offered an early retirement incentive program to enhance job growth and prevent forced layoffs.[34]
Governor Baker signed the state's fiscal year 2016 budget into law on July 17, 2015 after making about $162 million in line-item vetoes. The governor stated that this budget was similar to his proposal and addressed a $1.8 billion spending gap without any new taxes. The budget also made investments in local aid, education and transportation, as the governor had proposed in his budget.[34]
Fiscal year 2015
See budget bill: HB 4001
Governor Deval Patrick announced his fiscal year 2015 budget proposal on January 22, 2014. Under the governor's proposal, total state spending for fiscal year 2015 would have equaled approximately $36.4 billion.[35]
On July 11, 2014, Patrick signed into law the fiscal year 2015 budget. The enacted budget totaled $36.5 billion. The budget included several education initiatives, including an additional $100 million for local education, an additional $24 million for early education and funding to allow state colleges to freeze tuition.[35]
Fiscal year 2014
See budget bill: Chapter 38, Acts of 2013
| Massachusetts state budget -- 2014 | |
| Massachusetts State Legislature | |
| Text: | Chapter 38, Acts of 2013 |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced: | January 24, 2013 |
| House: | April 24, 2013 |
| Vote (lower house): | 127-29 |
| Senate: | May 23, 2013 |
| Vote (upper house): | 36-3 |
| Conference: | July 1, 2013 |
| Conference vote (upper house): | 36-3 |
| Conference vote (lower house): | 124-29 |
| Governor: | Deval Patrick |
| Signed: | July 12, 2013 |
| Vetoed: | July 12, 2013 (items vetoed; items passed over veto on July 30, 2013) |
On July 12, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick signed the fiscal year 2014 budget into law. The budget as enacted boasted significant funding increases for education and related programs, including an additional $130 million for Chapter 70 school aid and an additional $15 million for early education programs. The budget also included $97 million for public universities and colleges, which, according to Patrick, would result in "no tuition and fee increases in the coming year." In order to balance the budget, Patrick authorized a $350 million withdrawal from the state's Stabilization Fund.[36]
Patrick vetoed approximately $240 million in transportation funding and $177 million in aid to local governments. Patrick argued that he could not support these items until the state legislature completed work on a separate transportation finance bill.[36]
Fiscal year 2013
- See also: Massachusetts state budget (2012-2013)
Fiscal year 2012
- See also: Massachusetts state budget (2011-2012)
Fiscal year 2011
- See also: Massachusetts state budget (2010-2011)
Fiscal year 2010
- See also: Massachusetts state budget (2009-2010)
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics, "CPI Detailed Report Data for February 2014," accessed April 9, 2014
- ↑ InflationData.com, "Cumulative Inflation Calculator," February 28, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report: 2012-2014," accessed February 18, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report: 2013-2015," accessed April 7, 2016
- ↑ United States Census Bureau, "State and County QuickFacts," accessed February 23, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report, 2009-2011," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditures Report, 2010-2012," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report, 2009," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report, 2008," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Tax Policy Center, "State Tax Collection Sources 2000-2013," June 20, 2014
- ↑ State Budget Solutions, "State Budget Solutions' Fourth Annual State Debt Report," January 8, 2014
- ↑ In 2016, State Budget Solutions was absorbed by the American Legislative Exchange Council.
- ↑ Morningstar, "The State of State Pension Plans 2013: A Deep Dive Into Shortfalls and Surpluses," accessed September 16, 2013
- ↑ The Pew Charitable Trusts, “The Fiscal Health of State Pension Plans: Funding Gap Continues to Grow,” accessed April 16, 2015
- ↑ Stateline: The Daily News Service of The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001-2012," July 13, 2012
- ↑ Bankrate, "The 6 states with the worst credit ratings," September 27, 2012
- ↑ Stateline: The Daily News Service of The Pew Charitable Trusts, "Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001-2014," June 9, 2014
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 United States Census Bureau, "State Government Finances: 2012," accessed February 24, 2014
- ↑ Recovery.gov, "Stimulus Spending by State," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Joint Committees," accessed March 19, 2015
- ↑ The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "Senate Committees," accessed March 19, 2015
- ↑ The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, "House Committees," accessed March 19, 2015
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 U.S. Public Interest Research Group, "Following the Money 2014 Report," accessed April 15, 2014
- ↑ Bureau of Labor Statistics, "CPI Detailed Report Data for February 2014," accessed April 9, 2014
- ↑ InflationData.com, "Cumulative Inflation Calculator," February 28, 2014
- ↑ 28.00 28.01 28.02 28.03 28.04 28.05 28.06 28.07 28.08 28.09 28.10 28.11 28.12 28.13 28.14 28.15 National Association of State Budget Officers, "State Expenditure Report, 2011-2013," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 United States Census Bureau, "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013," accessed February 26, 2014
- ↑ United States Census Bureau, "Vintage 2009: Annual Population Estimates," accessed February 26, 2014
- ↑ MassBudget, "Budget Browser," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ Institute of Government and Public Affairs at University of Illinois, "Home page," accessed February 21, 2014
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 Institute of Government and Public Affairs at University of Illinois, "Budget Transparency Profiles - All 50 States," September 2011
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Summaries of Fiscal Year 2016 Proposed and Enacted Budgets," accessed September 22, 2015
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Summaries of Fiscal Year 2015 Proposed and Enacted Budgets," July 11, 2014
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 WAMC - Northeast Public Radio, "Mass. Governor Signs FY2014 Budget, Vetoes Transportation Funding," July 12, 2013
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