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Weekly Roundup
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March 4th, 2010
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Greetings!
![Opportunity [Image from http://replicant.xennsoft.com]](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs037/1101662827233/img/221.jpg?a=1103119761157) There are some things we can all agree on: everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, the opportunity to work to support themselves and their families, and the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy community. A recent report from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation warns that many of the things that make our state a great place to live are in jeopardy due to our state's dire fiscal situation. And they are correct, but they didn't go quite far enough.
They were right about the fiscal crisis. Our state faces as much as a $5 billion deficit by FY 2012 due to historic tax cuts and short-term decreases in sales and income tax revenue from the current nationwide economic downturn. This situation could be even worse if ballot questions to roll back sales tax increases go through.
They were right about budget cuts.Because states are constitutionally obligated to balance their budgets, a lack of revenues means a lack of spending. We are already seeing statewide cuts across the board - including local aid cuts that leave towns with cuts of their own to make.
 But they forgot about the solution.Cuts are not our only option. Indeed, many states in similar situations are already having reasoned, informed conversations about balancing their cuts with other options like streamlining government institutions, fixing loopholes in their current tax codes, and raising revenues. [Examples from MN, OR] By thoughtfully using all of our options - not depending solely on cuts - we can build a solution that will preserve our communities today, and build a stronger, more stable foundation for our state for years to come. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, or for more information on how to get more involved in the ONE Massachusetts! Sincerely, Yawu Miller Project Director, ONE Massachusetts
yawu@realclout.org | 617-275-2918
Here's a look at what else has been happening around Massachusetts:
Civic Engagement | Revenue | Government Reform
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 REVENUE |
Goal: By 2013, a fair, adequate, and stable tax system will be implemented. It will raise sufficient revenue so that state and local governments can fund the array of services needed.
Updates:
- Tax Ballot Questions: No Reserves to Count On. According to a new bulletin from the non-partisan Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF), the state budget gap for fiscal 2012, would be $5 billion if a pair of ballot questions cutting the sales tax pass in November. MTF President Michael Widmer said the two tax cuts would remove $2.5 billion a year from the tax base and the sales tax cut would lead to "massive cuts" in local aid and an "utter disaster" on the budget front.
The foundation predicts that next year "there will be virtually no reserves to count on" and "no possibility that the economic recovery will produce sufficient revenues" to close the state's persistent structural budget gap - a chasm measured in billions rather than millions in recent years. [Report] [SHNS]
 Local Finances: Lawrence Fiscal Bill Passes House.The House voted 106-51 to approve legislation authorizing the city of Lawrence to address its fiscal crisis and cash flow problems by borrowing up to $35 million and working with a state-appointed overseer on ways to stabilize its finances... House Democrats said their bill imposed new oversight on city finances and gave the city's new political leadership time to solve financial problems, with the knowledge that their failure will lead to a control board... The Murphy amendment [which also passed] enables a fiscal overseer authorized under the bill to call for a control board at any time, rather than waiting, as envisioned under the original bill, until Jan. 31, 2011 to make the determination about a control board... The bill, originally filed by Gov. Deval Patrick, now moves to the Senate. [SHNS]
- Local Finances: Health Costs. The
state forbids cities and towns from shifting health care costs to
employees without bargaining with unions. It is this aspect of state
law that municipal officials say the Legislature must rewrite to
address the crisis... Consolidating all municipal plans into the state
GIC would save more than $1 billion a year by 2018, according to
estimates by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the Boston
Municipal Research Bureau, two nonpartisan business-backed watchdog
groups. [Boston Globe]
 Local Finances: Boston Budget Shortfall. Despite new taxes, an improving economy, and staffing cuts, Boston is still facing a $42 million shortfall in the next budget year that could require more pink slips at City Hall, city officials said yesterday. The city's financial picture has improved, though, thanks in part to new revenue from an increase in local meals and hotel taxes. [Boston Globe]
- New Revenue: Casinos. House Speaker Robert DeLeo said a bill sanctioning expanded gambling in Massachusetts is likely to be released in a "two- or three-week period" and that the House would likely debate it in late March or early April. DeLeo said the House doesn't intend to include gambling revenue in its budget, noting that even if the bill passes the House, it must clear the Senate and win the governor's approval.
Senate President Therese Murray agreed that gambling revenue shouldn't be included in the budget. "It wouldn't be a wise thing to do," she said, adding that a "regulatory authority" to police new gambling enterprises couldn't be set up in time.
[SHNS]
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
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Goal: By 2013, the voice and input of the state's multi-racial, multi-ethnic communities will create a counterweight to the currently dominant voice and will be tangibly reflected in the public decision making process.
Updates:
- Communities Building Momentum: Defeat Ballot Questions on Sales Taxes. Advocates for voter participation and for low-income families are joining forces in an effort to defeat initiative petitions that would chop the state sales tax to 3 percent from 6.25 percent and repeal the new state sales tax on alcohol purchases. Avi Green, executive director of Mass Vote and Juan Leyton, executive director of Neighbor to Neighbor, on Friday organized a political committee under the moniker "Committee for a Stronger Commonwealth. "Both of the questions would really hurt state revenues at a moment when we desperately need critical government services," Green told the News Service. [SHNS]
Upcoming:
- Now Accepting Nominations: Citizens' Legislative Seminar. Senate President Therese Murray's office is now taking nominations for residents interested in participating in this spring's Citizens' Legislative Seminar beginning on March 22. The seminar, which teaches residents about the workings of the Massachusetts Legislature, will take place on March 22 and March 23 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The slots for the seminar are filled on a first come, first serve basis, and names must be submitted to Murray's office. [Pembroke Express]
Contact: Laura Tassinari in Senate President Murray's office at 617-722-1500
 March 5th - Final Public Budget Hearing. The last of eight public hearings on fiscal 2011 budget bill will take place this week. Testimony will be accepted from members of the general public, and will take place at the Massachusetts State House. [More information]
- March 31st - Women's Issues Hearing. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is holding a public hearing for the Lowell area. For more info, email mcsw@state.ma.us or call 617-626-6520.
March 31st, 6:00-7:30pm
Pollard Memorial Library - 401 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01852 [Map]
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GOVERNMENT REFORM
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| Goal: By 2013, a transparent, accessible and accountable state and local policy-making process will be in place.
Updates:
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 Want More Information on ONE Massachusetts?
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Want to get connected to the rest of the ONE Massachusetts network?
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Pension Reform: Phase Two. Eight months ago, Gov. Deval Patrick stood with legislative leaders to celebrate the passage of a pension-reform law. The accomplishment came with a promise to come back quickly with a second phase of reform that attacked some of the more challenging and complicated aspects of the pension system that all agreed needed an overhaul.
Lobbying Reform: Casinos. 
