Last Year, MA was the Last State in the Country to Pass its Annual Budget

Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance made the following statement after news that Senate and House leaders sent a mini-budget to the Governor’s office for signing in order to buy more time to pass their FY2024 general appropriations bill. That annual budget is due by Friday, June 30 in preparation for the new fiscal year beginning in July. By submitting this supplemental budget, Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka are admitting that the legislature will likely be unable to meet the deadline. Last year, Massachusetts was the last state in the country to pass its annual budget.

“Given all of the economic uncertainty and problems with outmigration of people and wealth, it's pretty irresponsible of the legislature to brush off deadlines that serve a purpose. Why should people make a bet on Massachusetts when Beacon Hill can't seem to pass a budget on time with unified control of the government and supermajorities in each chamber. In stark contrast is New Hampshire, where their state lawmakers passed their annual budget which included an accelerated phase out of the state tax on interest and dividends,” stated Paul D. Craney, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

“Last year, Massachusetts was the last state in the country to file its annual budget, further reinforcing the notion that Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka do not seem to care about their constituents. They do not seem to have learned anything from last year’s embarrassing lesson. Many businesses, taxpayers, and municipal leaders need the certainty that a predictable budget would deliver. They plan projects around what the budget includes, be it spending projects or tax credits. It takes a great deal of arrogance to leave your constituents hanging but Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka are proving once again how withdrawn they are from reality,” continued Craney.

“One of the most basic functions of state government is to pass a budget. Speaker Mariano and Senate President Spilka cannot even seem to do that right,” concluded Craney.