MAY 4, 2022.....The state revenue gravy train kept rolling right along in April as Department of Revenue tax collectors hauled in more than $2 billion more than what was expected during the month, giving Gov. Charlie Baker cause to press his case for the Legislature to take up his proposals to provide roughly $700 million in tax relief to residents.

The April haul pushed the state at least $3.5 billion ahead of its year-to-date benchmark with just two months left in the fiscal year. Collections last month added up to $6.941 billion, $3.076 billion or nearly 80 percent more than what was collected in April 2021 and $2.057 billion or just over 42 percent more than DOR's own monthly benchmark.