Taxpayers expect elected officials to spend every dime of their money wisely, and they deserve nothing less. Disciplined, commonsense reforms of our budget and legislative processes will better inform policymakers and restore trust in the people they represent.
Creating widespread economic opportunity for Massachusetts families will require sound fiscal management. That means understanding in tangible, concrete terms the challenges we face today, the solutions we will need tomorrow, and the costs we will incur in the years ahead. Below is one of several proposals that I will introduce in the coming weeks as I explain my policy platform to voters across the Commonwealth.
Click here to read a PDF of the plan, “Open, Accessible Government that Works for People.”
-Establish a non-partisan legislative fiscal agency to analyze the state budget and new legislation that will affect spending.
-Develop multi-year budget forecasts to project revenue and spending ahead of the upcoming budget, encouraging policymakers to consider future financial challenges as they plan for the upcoming year.
-Require “clawback” provisions for any corporate tax break, establishing a detailed set of performance metrics tied to job creation and economic development.
-Bring state government up to speed with modern technology, using the Internet and social media to make state budget proposals user-friendly for citizens to view and understand.
Christopher says
…a state version of the CBO? What about the Governor having a state version of the OMB?
David says
AFAIK, the legislature relies on the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees to do that sort of thing. As I recall, the Gov’s office has a budget bureau within A&F that carries out functions similar to some of what OMB does.
methuenprogressive says
The “Deb believes,” and “she will,”s make a very awkward presentation.
doug-rubin says
MARTHA COAKLEY JOINS DEB GOLDBERG IN CALLING FOR NEW FISCAL AGENCY
Calls on Baker to join her in pledge to implement new policies to better predict spending and increase transparency
BOSTON – Tuesday, September 23, 2014 – Martha Coakley today joined Democratic nominee for Treasurer Deb Goldberg in calling for state government to provide multi-year budget forecasts and calculated costs for new legislation by creating a non-partisan legislative fiscal agency. The new agency will enhance accountability and transparency in state government.
Coakley called on Republican Charlie Baker to join her in pledging to implement the reforms if elected governor.
“Transparency and accountability are key for state government to work efficiently for our residents in a 21st century economy,” said Coakley. “The Big Dig financing plan that Charlie Baker wrote showed state government at its worse, and I hope that Charlie will join Deb and I in pledging to implement these new reforms to avoid missteps like that in the future that leave Massachusetts paying a tab decades later.’
The non-partisan fiscal agency will be charged with analyzing how the state budget and new legislation will impact spending, develop multi-year budget forecasts to project spending and revenue, require clawback provisions for any corporate tax break and modernizing how the budget is presented online and through social media.
merrimackguy says
Why hasn’t Wily Lantigua been brought to court with this?
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/08/27/lawrence-mayor-william-lantigua-sued-over-alleged-campaign-finance-violations/7gvRSHEb0qFKUbXchQboPM/story.html
We’re talking more than a year ago.
And Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera is looking for action on this:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/08/federal-grand-jury-investigates-lantigua-for-city-paving-projects-officials-say/3H04YQ1nXiMoIYYMPQlIHM/story.html
Everyone up here in the Greater Lawrence area making an assessment of Ms Coakley’s abilities based on these cases (as they are the highest profile) and frankly the AG’s office gives some evidence of foot dragging.
discobolos says
we hold those individuals and corporations that receive tax breaks accountable. When our tax dollars are are used to create a benefit or return on our investment, there must be a penalty for failure. The “clawback” measure proposed by state treasurer candidate Deb Goldberg is long overdue. I’m glad A.G. Coakley agrees.