First in a series on Your Tax Dollars at Work

The ink is now dry on 2023, and the number of six-figure overtime earners in state government soared 25.4% in Gov. Maura Healey’s first year, a Herald payroll analysis shows.

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Your Tax Dollars at Work: 2023 top overtime earners [2,000+]

That’s based on Comptroller data showing 276 state troopers, MBTA workers, nurses, prison guards, and a social worker all pocketed $100,000 or more in OT last year — a double-digit jump year-over-year.

The total payroll for 2023 was $9.33 billion — a 4.2% increase.

“No business in America can operate like this,” said Mass Fiscal’s Paul Craney. “That’s a huge jump. They seem to live in a fantasy world.”

The big winners in the bonus pay line item were the $200,000-plus clock punchers, with a State Police lieutenant earning an arresting $430,796 — off $251,014 in overtime, records show. (His base pay was $171,950.)

Two other State Police sergeants and an MBTA Transit Police officer also hit the OT lottery, pulling in $200,000-plus in added pay each.

A DOC prison guard was the one who boosted his base pay the most by adding $207,364 in overtime to his $90,523 slot for a hefty $301,046 in 2023. That’s a whopping W2.

This all hits as a projected budget gap of $224 million this fiscal year is predicted, as state tax revenues in the first months of fiscal year 2024 have come below expectations.

Gov. Maura Healey’s administration also predicted spending nearly $1 billion on the emergency shelter system in fiscal year 2025.

Massachusetts was a top 10 state for outbound residents, according to United Van Lines’ 47th annual National Movers Study.

“We are continuing to see the trend that Americans are moving to more affordable, lower-density areas across the country, with many heading to Southern states,” said Eily Cummins with United Van Lines.

Among those making an exit from Massachusetts, 28.4% moved because of their job, 19.2% for family considerations, 18% for retirement, 16% for lifestyle, and less than 3% each for health or cost reasons, according to the study.

“Massachusetts State House leaders need to take note of the reason why taxpayers are fleeing our state. The number one priority of 2024 should be economic competitiveness and this new report shows that,” Craney said.

He cited the Millionaire’s Tax as a driving factor for some of the out-migration.

The voter-approved 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million — revenue of which has been allocated to education and transportation needs in the state — is being cited as a reason why residents are leaving Massachusetts.

As the has Herald reported, some fiscal watchdogs are wondering what kind of performance can be expected by those logging in at such a rapid rate. And who, if anyone, is keeping tabs on all the OT.

Yet, for the first time in recent memory, no MBTA workers — except for that Transit Officer — break into even the Top 20 overtime earners.

Since 2007, the Herald has monitored state payroll spending in our “Your Tax Dollars at Work” report. We’re back for another year. We will roll out reports and databases beginning today.

As for total payroll, the UMass system leads the way with $1.55 billion on the books; it’s $595.36 million for the MBTA next in line.

The Trial Court is high up with $597.84 million with DOC next locking up $355.29 million in payroll.

The State Police come in fifth, at least in total pay, at $301.95 million for 2023, records show.

UMass again has the top earners at: $1.66M for Francisco Martin; $1.41M for Michael Collins; $1.14M for Terence Flotte; $853,500 for Partha Chakrabarti; and $831,065 for Donald Brown.