ANNOUNCEMENT: Mass Priorities Expands Education Campaign into Western Massachusetts

Mass Priorities Policy Director Christopher Thrasher today announced a significant expansion of the organization’s campaign into Western Massachusetts.

“Amid growing economic pressures and dwindling federal support, Mass Priorities is launching an education campaign in Western Massachusetts to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated to projects that provide tangible benefits to local communities, emphasizing the importance of funding critical services like education, public safety, and infrastructure over unneeded, unwanted pet projects,” said Thrasher.

“Local municipalities in Western Massachusetts and across the Commonwealth are facing significant shortfalls in revenue at the same time federal COVID and stimulus funds are ending,” said Thrasher. “This is creating immense fiscal pressure on local budgets, forcing tough decisions between cutting essential services or raising taxes on already stretched citizens. The urgency to prioritize municipal spending on critical needs has never been greater.”

As the campaign expands across the Commonwealth, Mass Priorities is sounding the alarm on potential threats to crucial municipal priorities. Mass Priorities will begin a multi-channel education and awareness initiative in Western Massachusetts this week.

“Our goal is to ensure that both the leaders and the citizens of Western Massachusetts communities are well-informed and prepared to make wise decisions with their limited taxpayer dollars,” said Thrasher. “It is imperative that we focus our resources on essential services and education, instead of throwing money at risky, unproven, and unnecessary non-critical projects.”

“With proper due diligence, the potential risks from misplaced priorities become clear: cuts to crucial services, threats to bond ratings, and looming peril to taxpayers. Mass Priorities is calling on municipal leaders to use comprehensive cost modeling for all community projects and to embrace the philosophy of look before you leap, know before you go, and trust but verify,” said Thrasher.