We’ve been saying this for years: Massachusetts spends like a giddy teenager with a brand new bank card. Sorry, children, however that’s the way it feels.
Now, Gov. Maura Healey says she plans to chop $375 million in spending. Why didn’t she see that enormous snowball coming months in the past?
Revenue projections should now be downgraded by $1 billion. So, what occurred to being fiscally conservative?
“Our foundation is really strong here in the state,” Healey instructed the Herald in an end-of-year interview. It’s all in regards to the messaging, not actuality. But taxpayers want management, not spin.
The millionaire’s tax, a finances rising previous the speed of inflation, the migrant disaster, extra time leaping 25% for these state workers flattening $100,000 or extra in bonus pay, and an underwhelming tax reduction package deal are inflicting cracks within the state economic system.
Healey’s philosophy is tied too intently with the state Legislature, which is preventing off Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s try to open state lawmakers’ books.
As we acknowledged on this area final week, Massachusetts was a prime 10 state for outbound residents, in accordance with United Van Lines’ forty seventh annual National Movers Study. Among these making an exit from Massachusetts, 28.4% moved due to their job, 19.2% for household concerns, 18% for retirement, 16% for way of life, and fewer than 3% every for well being or value causes, in accordance with the examine.
It all factors to what Herald columnist Peter Lucas wrote this weekend: inflation might be tracked primarily based on the price of cucumbers. That’s a comparatively low-cost merchandise that, when it fluctuates, can take a chunk out of your finances. Maybe not for lawmakers, however for the remainder of us who have to steadiness family budgets, any hike hurts.
That’s precisely what Healey and the House and Senate are putting out on. Any Massachusetts governor should rein in spending by lawmakers who solely wish to rating factors with constituents to allow them to hold in workplace. They’ll spend extra vitality attempting to banish former President Donald Trump from the Super Tuesday poll in March — when a Republican presidential candidate hasn’t been a menace — than cracking down on pointless spending.
Just take a look at the state payroll! (As the Herald has now completed for 17 years.) It has extra fats than bacon. How can Healey sit again and say cuts have to be made whereas overseeing runaway extra time?
Comptroller information reveals 276 state troopers, MBTA staff, nurses, jail guards, and a social employee all pocketed $100,000 or extra in OT final yr — a double-digit soar year-over-year. That’s obscene. Yet it occurs yearly.
The response on Beacon Hill was muted, however it’s a evident instance of greediness with taxpayers selecting up that tab. That’s what’s flawed with state authorities. From the highest down our authorities is just not run like a enterprise. It’s run like a membership. An unique membership the place the cash flows and the taxpayers can prefer it or depart.
Massachusetts is a good state, from the Berkshires to the tip of Cape Cod. Knowing that many are bolting to New Hampshire is just not excellent news. It’s unhappy information.
Maura Healey ought to take a stand right this moment in opposition to runaway spending and be the prudent governor the Bay State wants earlier than we’re again once more with extra cuts and probably companies taken away that a few of us truly get pleasure from.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”