Week Ending December 17, 2010
On Tuesday, the state’s Secretary of Administration and Finance and members of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees held their annual consensus revenue hearing – held to examine the state’s economy as the Administration and Legislature prepare their FY2012 annual budget. Although the state’s tax receipts have exceeded projections for the first half of FY2011, Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzales stated at the hearing that he is expecting a $1.5 billion deficit in the state budget next year. With federal stimulus aid expiring and increasing pressure brought by the state’s subsidized health care system (MassHealth), the Administration expects they will have to fill the $1.5 billion gap. Additionally, a $700 appropriations shortfall for the Massachusetts pension system could add to the budget gap. Governor Patrick is expected to file his FY2012 budget in January.
As the 2009 – 2010 legislative session nears its end on January 4th, members of the House who are moving to the Senate, leaving the chamber or were defeated in their campaigns gave their farewell speeches on Thursday. The incoming class in the House is the largest in recent memory with 44 new members.
According to a Patrick administration jobs report, Massachusetts lost 8,600 jobs in November and the unemployment rate in the state rose from 8.1% to 8.2%. Prior to this month, the unemployment rate had decreased for two consecutive months. The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced the state lost 1,800 information jobs, 1,100 in professional and scientific services and 900 jobs in transportation and utilities jobs. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts is still below the national rate of 9.8% and also represents a drop from the Commonwealth’s peak rate of 9.5%.
John Nunnari, Assoc AIA
Executive Director, AIA MA
jnunnari@architects.org
617-951-1433 x263
617-951-0845 (fax)
MA Chapter of American Institute of Architects
The Architects Building
52 Broad Street, Boston MA 02109-4301
www.architects.org
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