Government: Massachusetts Misstep

Massachusetts Misstep

For any other Governor, it would have been a minor flap over the state budget. But nothing is routine anymore for Michael Dukakis, especially when it allows Republicans to snicker at his much touted Massachusetts Miracle. Last week the front runner in the Democratic presidential campaign was forced to concede that sagging tax revenues have thrown his $11.6 billion 1988 budget out of balance by more than $300 million, with additional red ink forecast for 1989. Since the Massachusetts constitution mandates a balanced budget, Dukakis must trim spending programs -- a task that should be good practice if he ever moves...

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