Massachusetts is in a tough financial spot.

Revenues are down, the state’s economic outlook is bleak as Beacon Hill continues to drive people and wealth out of state, and Maura Healey is chomping at the bit to raise taxes. House Speaker Ron Mariano was even on the record as recently stating "I think everyone's aware of the fact that -- we've said it many times -- this is going to be a tight budget, not to expect business as usual.”

But instead of reining in spending that we have seen balloon in recent years, they seem to be singing the same tune we’ve heard before. House lawmakers filed a whopping 1,650 amendments, which is the highest number in at least 14 years-- predating MassFiscal!

The initially filed House Ways and Means budget came in with a 6.4% increase over what eventually passed last year, an increase of over 50% from just ten years ago. But we all know the price tag on this $61.4 billion spending bill will only go up as all of those pet projects get tacked on during the late night, back room horse trading sessions that have become custom to deal with the mounds of amendments outside of the public eye. Here are just five examples:

1. $200 Million to Offset Potential Federal Cuts in Higher Education (Amendment 324 by Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville)

-Creates a new, $200,000,000 line item as a reserve to offset possible reductions in federal funding for staffing at the state’s public colleges and universities.
 Why it’s egregious: There is no confirmed federal cut, yet lawmakers want to stash $200M of taxpayer money that we definitely do not have, “just in case.”

2. $500,000 for a State-Level DEI Manager (Amendment 569 by Rep. Ken Gordon of Bedford)

-Earmarks $500,000 for a DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Manager in the Human Resources Division.
 Why it’s egregious: Half a million dollars for political virtue signaling in the state bureaucracy at a time when the state is talking about shortfalls and tax hikes. This kind of spending doesn’t help taxpayers or deliver core services.

3. $100,000 for Electric Vehicles for One City (Amendment 450 by Rep. Danielle Gregoire of Marlborough)

-Earmarks $100,000 specifically for electric vehicles in the City of Marlborough, increasing the state appropriation accordingly.
 Why it’s egregious: Local vehicle purchases shouldn’t be taxpayer-funded by the entire state — especially when many communities are struggling with basics like road repairs and public safety.

4. $45.3 Million Increase for University Union Contracts (Amendment 1538 by Rep. John Rogers of Norwood)

-Increases the appropriation for state universities' collective bargaining agreements by $45,328,980, bumping the total to over $70 million.
 Why it’s egregious: Massive raises during a fiscal crunch? These are negotiated sweetheart deals for public sector unions while the average taxpayer is being told to brace for cuts and tax hikes.

5. $500,000 Extra for the Office for Refugees and Immigrants — With Less Oversight (Amendment 1646 by Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield)

-Appropriates an additional $500,000 for the Office for Refugees and Immigrants and removes the requirement for quarterly spending reports.
 Why it’s egregious: Half a million more in spending for one of the many migrant service programs and they want to dodge accountability? That’s not just fiscally irresponsible — it’s offensive to every taxpayer who expects transparency.

And on that note, as our state continues to deal with a costly emergency shelter crisis stemming from a flood of migrants, Healey is claiming victory on getting the number in our emergency shelter system down. However, we are seeing costs go up in other taxpayer subsidized housing programs as a result, and we found budget amendments that would ease existing requirements and increase funding for emergency housing programs like HomeBASE and RAFT. We are also seeing additional requests for funds for various migrant support services. Needless to say, this extremely costly issue isn’t going away unless being swept under the rug counts.

Taxpayers are being asked to do more with less. Shouldn't our government be doing the same? We will be bringing attention to more amendments on our social media accounts in time for the House budget debate this week.

MassFiscal is committed to exposing this kind of reckless spending. If you believe your tax dollars should be respected, not wasted, stand with us.
 
Take action now by telling your lawmakers NO on Maura Healey’s latest tax hikes by clicking here: https://www.votervoice.net/MASSFISCAL/campaigns/120700/respond