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Race to Equity: The State of Black Massachusetts
This report examines progress and obstacles on the path to creating a Commonwealth where all people of every race and background have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Where Does the Taxachusetts Label Come From?
This factsheet explains the history of the “Taxachusetts” label and describes how it is at odds with the reality of the level of taxation in Massachusetts today.
FAQ: Paid Family & Medical Leave
To help workers balance work and family obligations, three states have enacted Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) laws in recent years. This factsheet explains what PFML is, how it works, how it affects families and businesses, and how it relates to other policies like Earned Paid Sick Time.
Building an Economy that Works for Everyone: Implications of Privatization and the Pacheco Law
This fact sheet examines the core elements of the “Pacheco Law”- the requirement that privatization efforts lead to savings based on improved efficiency and that they do not drive down the wages of working people – and describes the processes and steps the law requires.
Analyzing the House Budget for FY 2016
In a quiet three days of debate, the House made few changes to the budget drafted by the House Ways and Means Committee. Many of the funding increases approved just restored funding that the HWM Committee had proposed cutting. This Monitor describes the amendments adopted in each area of the budget and discusses how proposed funding levels compare to the Governor’s proposals and to historic levels.
The Reach of the MA State EITC, Town-by-Town
The state earned income tax credit (EITC) helps providing a meaningful boost to the after-tax earnings of thousands of low-income working families. This Facts-At-A-Glance provides town-by-town estimates of tax filers who received the state EITC in 2013.
The Right Size for Learning: Class Sizes in Massachusetts
Children have a better chance to succeed in school when they receive individualized support and attention. Smaller class sizes are one way to help our teachers meet the needs of each child. This paper examines the evidence on how class size reductions can improve outcomes and expand opportunity for all of our children, particularly those who face the greatest obstacles.
Analyzing the House Ways & Means Budget for FY 2016
The HWM budget for FY 2016 recommends targeted investments in some important areas including early education and care, affordable housing, and opiate abuse prevention and treatment. The proposal also includes new cuts to some important programs including workforce training for low income parents and youth jobs and violence prevention efforts. Read this Budget Monitor for more detail.
The Massachusetts Film Tax Credit
This factsheet describes the Massachusetts Film Tax Credit, one of the state’s most generous tax breaks, which provides movie producers with a tax credit of 25% of the cost of making a movie in Massachusetts.
Analyzing the Governor’s Budget for FY 2016
In releasing his budget proposal on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 the Governor identified important priorities: “creating better communities, better schools, and better jobs for all of Massachusetts.” This budget does not, however, propose the types of significant investments in these areas that could make a meaningful difference in the lives of working people across the state. The Governor did file a tax reform proposal along with the budget that would significantly help lower-wage working people across the state: a doubling of the state earned income tax credit.
