[husartrof]

State spending increased at well over the rate of inflation under ’s watch, estimated at 24% - more than $5 billion – over ’s final three years.

Under , Massachusetts dramatically underperformed the rest of the nation in terms of job growth.

has been criticized by experts for failing to deliver on issues of business development and economic growth after selling himself as the “CEO governor.”

2006 report issued by quasi-public Massachusetts Technology Collaborative warned the state was losing its grip as leader in “innovation economy” and that tech job growth was alarmingly slow.

left his successor to fill a budget deficit exceeding $1 billion.

raised state fees and taxes more than $700 million per year, according to independent experts.

raised fees by roughly $500 million in his first year alone, a figure that was highest in the nation.

quadrupled gun licensing fees and raised fees on first responders, real estate transactions, the blind, golfers and many others.

Massachusetts’ state and local tax burden rose more than 7% during ’s administration.

refused to endorse the Bush tax cuts in 2003, telling the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation he wouldn’t be a cheerleader for the plan.

implemented three rounds of tax changes (which he referred to as “closing loopholes”) which increased business taxes by an estimated $400 million per year.

Massachusetts’ corporate tax climate now ranks 47th in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation.

proposed – then backed away from – a new internet tourism tax that would levy higher taxes on users of sites like Orbitz and Travelocity.

enrolled Massachusetts in a multistate compact aiming to end moratorium on internet sales taxes.

took no position on estate tax issue in 2002 and signed 50% increase in state cremation fee, which observers called “hidden tax on the dead.”