"The Cradle of Liberty"
That's the nickname of the Boston area, a nickname that appears to be applicable once more.
Massachusetts looks to be the forefront of another revolution: the revolution to end the income tax. Last week, the Patriots over at the Center for Small Government reported that 100,000 signatures were delivered for validation and certification. This is another step in the arduous process to gain ballot access. Should the issue pass, the income tax in Massachusetts is done ... stick a fork in it.
With the income tax gone, the benefits accrue (according to the Committee for Small Government):
1. Reduction in taxes by $3,600 for over 3,000,000 Massachusetts workers. $3,600 average. Each worker. Not just once. Every year.2. It will take $11 Billion out of the hands of Massachusetts Big Government – and put it back into the hands of the men and women who earned it. Not just once. Every year.
3. In productive, private hands this $11 Billion a year will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs in Massachusetts.
4. This will force the state legislature to streamline and cut the waste out of the Massachusetts state budget.
5. This will force the state legislature to get rid of the failed, flawed government programs that don't work – and often make things worse.
6. It'll make the state legislature accountable to Massachusetts workers and taxpayers – instead of the government employees, lobbyists, and special interests who profit from high government spending.
7. With less government and no income tax, Massachusetts will become a magnet to private, productive businesses and individuals. More good jobs and more good workers.
That's an issue worth voting for!
Comments (10)
I don't know what the timeline would be for this, but I'm willing to bet that if they are successful at eliminating the income tax before the next election, that Romney will try to take some of the credit. :\
Published: November 28, 2007 12:06 AM
Who wants to be that the state government just raises sales and property taxes to compensate?
Published: November 28, 2007 1:02 AM
State officials and invested-groups will definetely fight this tooth and nail by advertising (using taxpayer monies in the process) scare tactics, such as "property taxes will go up 50%", etc.
Published: November 28, 2007 1:05 AM
Brent, therefore it seems more wise to me to start off with a balanced budget proposal. Termination of the income tax could then be the icing on the cake.
Published: November 28, 2007 1:34 AM
I live in Mass and will do my best to see this pass. In 2002, the initiative received 46% support, and that was with no advertising, no voter registration, no nothing. Even Romney publicly opposed it!
However, in 2000, we voted to cut the income tax from 5.35% to 5.00% and it passed by a landslide. The legislature said sorry, we can't afford it. We are still waiting for our tax cut, and the Dems refuse to enforce the law.
Even if we abolish the income tax, the legislature will just ignore the law. They also ignored the hundreds of thousands of signatures that asked for a gay marriage ballot question. If you talk to Massachusetts voters about it, they are ticked off at the legislature for ignoring them, but they will still only vote for Democrats. The baby in the cradle of liberty died of SIDS.
Published: November 28, 2007 8:25 AM
two good thigns have happened here recently: the state government created tax breaks for film companies now there are lke 11 movies being made here. Also, they are going to open a bunch of casinos. I don't think many people expected this out of a democratic governor. So I reallywouldn't rule anything out.
8- not to hijack the topic but what is your opinion of the health care thing? it seems to me it has actually created a drop in prices in the other plans. if it doesn't raise taxes, I'm fine with the government competing in the free market
Published: November 28, 2007 10:20 AM
The health care plan will fail. They can't cut costs by increasing healthcare spending, which will be the result of forcing people to buy insurance.
Also, my costs will be higher next year, so the benefits are not widespread. It may be that some people were trapped in a bad plan at work and can now get a cheaper plan through the Connector, but I expect total costs to rise.
As for tax breaks for Hollywood and casinos, it sounds exactly like what I expect from a Democrat governor.
Published: November 28, 2007 2:09 PM
I have blue cross blue shield but they won't go over 300 a month for mine because then I could jsut go over to the states. I had a different plan before but I am paying way way less now.
if they force people to buy it won't that reduce their spending?
Published: November 28, 2007 3:07 PM
My assumption is that people without health insurance do not use medical care as much. Once they have insurance (we should call it pre-paid medical services), they are more likely to go to the doctor.
Published: November 29, 2007 8:12 AM
300 dollars worth a month?
Published: November 29, 2007 9:41 AM