October 2023 Newsletter

Major Tax Bill Reflects MTF's Recommendations

MTF started the month strong by attending the tax bill signing, which included many of our recommendations! We are looking to keep our momentum going by hosting our upcoming webinar on October 19th! Make sure to check out the newsletter's Upcoming Events section to register now!

We'd also like to thank all of our members who completed our annual membership survey and would like to congratulate Amie Shei as the Amazon gift card winner! Amie has chosen to donate the gift card to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, where it will be given to a foster child to bring some holiday cheer!



This month is also bittersweet for MTF, as we said farewell to Senior Policy Researcher Ashley White. She begins a new career chapter as the Director of Research at the Department of Early Education and Care. We want to thank Ashley for all of her hard work, and we wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors!

Upcoming Events

MTF Migration and Demographic Webinar Series

MTF will be hosting a webinar series dedicated to exploring how the world is changing around Massachusetts and what those changes may mean for the state’s economic future. This session will examine demographic and economic trends that are already emerging, look ahead at challenges and opportunities over the horizon, and assess the role that state public policy can play in shaping the Commonwealth’s future. 



October 19th - 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Members and non-members can register here and reach out to MTF Membership Director Debbie Carroll for more information!

MTF Member Briefing: Understanding the State's Workforce Investments

MTF's November Policy Briefing will include an overview of the workforce system and overall funding trends, then take a closer look at individual workforce training programs – programs that offer vocational and basic skill training.

November 8th - 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Members can register here to attend virtually. Non-members, please contact MTF Membership Director Debbie Carroll for more information!

MTF Policy Conversation: Rep. John Lawn, Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

MTF's November Policy Conversation will host Rep. John Lawn where he will discuss his priorities in the session and the health care issues under consideration on Beacon Hill.

November 16th - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Members can contact MTF Membership Director Debbie Carroll to inquire about in-person attendance or register here to attend virtually. Non-members, please contact MTF Membership Director Debbie Carroll for more information!

MTF's Annual Tax Policy Conference

MTF's Tax Policy Conference convenes a wide variety of attendees interested in and affected by tax policy in Massachusetts. Attendees include public officials and staff, representatives of large employers, tax practitioners, and business and trade organizations.

December 1st - 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Members can register here to attend either virtually or in-person. Non-members, please contact MTF Membership Director Debbie Carroll for more information!

MTF is Hiring!

Are you or someone you know interested in being a Public Policy Researcher? Check out MTF's job posting to learn about the position!

State Budget and Taxes

MTF Provides Analysis on Final Tax Bill

On September 26th, MTF released an analysis of the compromise tax relief bill, which Governor Healey signed on October 4th. The final bill is a $951 million package that includes 17 different tax provisions. The bill's first-year costs are covered under the amount policymakers set aside in the FY 2024 budget, with the provisions being phased in over the next two years. The bill includes several of MTF's recommendations that will help Massachusetts be competitive in attracting and retaining individuals and employers. 

>>Read MTF's Tax Relief Bill Analysis



Media Coverage

>>The Boston Globe

>>WAMC

>>Fall River Reporter

Demographics and the Economy

On September 22nd, MTF released a chartbook detailing the challenges cities like Boston face as they continue navigating changes after the pandemic. The analysis includes six major cities with similar profiles that drive regional economies - Boston, Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. The report includes MTF's recommendations that can be used to inform the state about the policies that may work and how quickly we should move towards these goals.

>>Review the Urban Economies on the Precipice: A Tale of Six Cities Chartbook

Media Coverage

>>The Boston Globe

>>Commonwealth Magazine

>>The Boston Hearld

MTF Policy Start Fellowship Update

As part of the program, MTF is committed to connecting Leedya with our members and partners through networking chats and shadow days with businesses and organizations. Thank you to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts for hosting Leedya's first shadow day and Dempsey Associates and others for participating in networking conversations with Leedya over her first few weeks!

MTF on the Road

October was a busy month as MTF President Doug Howgate presented the Commonwealth's fiscal climate and economic outlook to the Massachusetts Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission. Howgate also provided a statewide fiscal and legislative update to William Raveis Real Estate and the 495/MetroWest Partnership. MTF Senior Policy Researcher Ashley White also provided an analysis of the FY 2024 budget and its implication on early education and care providers to Neighborhood Villages.

MTF Recent Events

MTF kept its members and other stakeholders up to date with a series of events over the past month.

Tax Thought Leadership Group Meeting

On September 20th, MTF hosted a Tax Thought Leadership Meeting, where we were hosted by our partners at Sullivan & Worcester Law. MTF President Doug Howgate provided a brief update on Beacon Hill tax developments, followed by a discussion with Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Dalila Argaez Wendlandt.

MTF Policy Conversation: Quentin Palfrey, Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure 

On September 21st, MTF hosted a virtual conversation with Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. Palfrey discussed the Healey administration's plan to pursue federal funding to address critical infrastructure and energy needs while continuing to support the Commonwealth's status as a hub for innovation and research. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session moderated by MTF President Doug Howgate. 

MTF Policy Conversation: Ed Augustus, Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

On October 11th, MTF hosted a hybrid conversation with Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus, where he discussed how the newly created secretariat is addressing critical housing needs. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session moderated by MTF President Doug Howgate.