The last day in July has typically been a frenzy in the Massachusetts legislature, as bills that have been tied up in back-room deals emerge for votes before the August recess. This time around, legislators squeaked out the FY24 budget agreement a full month after its due date, making it the second latest budget filed in 22 years. You heard that right, the annual budget was due on June 30^th, but the dysfunctional legislature couldn’t meet its annual deadline and delayed. That’s about all they could do. As the one party ruled utopia in the House and Senate are continually at odds with one another, some modest tax relief measures that have been one step from the finish line since last summer have seen yet another goal post come and go. Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka are now saying they will address tax relief AFTER Labor Day, but their promises are only as good as their record. Meanwhile, those who are making life decisions to stay in our state or flee to a more economically competitive state, will have less reason to hang on here.

The House and Senate conference committee budget report was filed at approximately 8:12 p.m. on Sunday night, and lawmakers voted on and approved the budget less than 24 hours later Monday afternoon. Only State Representatives Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) and Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) voted against the newly concocted budget. Thank you Representatives Lombardo and Boldygya! It’s clear we need more lawmakers like these two brave elected officials if we ever want to see an improvement.

Following the announcement from the state auditor’s office that they intend to pursue litigation against the Massachusetts legislature after the Speaker of the House and Senate President refused to comply with the Auditor’s audits, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance issued the following statement in support of the proposal.

He Provided Uniquely Conservative New England Leadership and Opposition to Gov. Baker’s TCI Gas Tax Scheme