The report finds that state and local taxes for Bay State residents equaled 10.4% of personal income in the Commonwealth in FY04, ranking 32nd out of the 50 states and below the overall national level of 10.7%. When fees and other state and local charges are factored in as a share of personal income (the aggregate income of Massachusetts residents), the Commonwealth ranked 43rd out of the 50 states. The full report is available on MBPC's website, www.massbudget.org, and can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

"Tax and budget policy is ultimately about the people of our state deciding what share of our resources we want to spend to keep our neighborhoods safe, educate our children, protect our environment, promote public health, and provide the other public services on which all of us, and our economy, depend. This report will help to put these choices in context by showing how the decisions that have been made in Massachusetts compare to those of other states," commented Noah Berger, Executive Director of the MBPC.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MBPC) provides independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, that affect low and moderate-income people in Massachusetts.

MA Budget and Policy Center Report »

There is a lot going on in the schools, so please try to come, and bring a friend. The April ballot is likely to have one or more school questions, and we need to get parents registered to vote and reading up on the issues now. This effort will require everyone's help.

At the meeting, we will discuss Town Meeting's approval of the design money for High Rock and what happens next. We will also plan for the school budget process. The more parents see of this process, the better. Therefore, on December 10 we will discuss which meetings are important to go to and how to get parents engaged in the process.