Legislative budget writers are supposed to deliver a yearly spending plan to the governor by July 1 — at least that’s what it says on paper. In practice, lawmakers have routinely blown past that deadline year after year, handing a spending document to the chief executive well past the state of the new fiscal year, … Read more
By Levi Sumagaysay | CalMatters Lina Mills recalls how she came to this country from Colombia at age 16 having never worked a day in her life. Once she arrived, she found work in restaurants. “I had to provide for myself,” Mills told CalMatters recently. “I basically ran from home.” She knew some English, learned … Read more
Even in times of economic uncertainty, some investments are worth making, according to state Senate President Karen Spilka. That was the message Spilka shared on Monday after she appeared at Middlesex Community College’s Lowell campus to announce the upper chamber’s plan to provide a free college education to every Massachusetts resident who wants one. “We … Read more
When the House unveils their version of the fiscal 2025 budget on Wednesday, it will include “record” investment into the state’s beleaguered and aging transportation systems, according to House Speaker Ron Mariano’s office. The budget coming out of the House Ways and Means committee later this week will include more than half a billion dollars … Read more
Lawmakers from the Joint Committee on Ways and Means seemed surprised to learn from the state’s top transportation officials that they don’t need any more money than they’re set to receive from the governor’s $58.1 billion fiscal 2025 spending plan. The proposed budget includes $3 billion for “all modes by which people and goods travel … Read more
The state auditor is not feeling the love from the Legislature or the Healey administration these days. According to Auditor Diana DiZoglio, while there are many ways to demonstrate affection, the “love language” on Beacon Hill is money and her budget is facing some fairly telling funding shortfalls. “I’m going to compare this, on the … Read more
For the sixth straight month, the state took in far less tax revenue than expected, continuing a trend of worrisome shortfalls that has policymakers watching carefully. According to information released by the state’s Department of Revenue late Thursday afternoon, the state fell about 2.1% short of its projected revenues, pulling in just $3.776 billion despite … Read more
