The state Senate overwhelmingly rejected proposals to hike the state income tax and gas tax today, as senators opened debate on a series of proposed tax increases…. The [income tax] amendment was voted down 28 to 11.
The Senate voted 33 to 6 to defeat Governor Deval Patrick’s proposal to hike the gas tax by 19 cents. Senators also voted 30 to 9 to defeat an 11-cent hike in the gas tax.
The Senate is expected to take up another measure today that would impose new taxes on hotels and meals. But it’s a proposal to raise the state sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent that is expected to generate broader support. The House has already approved that tax and Senate leaders indicated yesterday that it is gaining momentum in their chamber.
Our source on the inside reports the following “yea” votes on income tax:
Chang-Diaz
Eldridge
Fargo
Pacheco
Donnelly
Jehlen
Berry
McGee
Menard
Rosenberg
Tolman
Disappointing, but unsurprising. Higher (regressive) sales tax, here we come, I guess. Good times.
…in favor of higher sales taxes, rather than income taxes, at the state level? At the federal level I’d prefer sales taxes because they’re alot easier to collect, provided that there are exemptions similar to MA. For states though, you’re competing with your neighbors, especially no-sales-tax NH. I’m not convinced sales is inherently regressive. As long as we keep our exemptions for necessities it seems like the more money you have, the more you can and will spend, which by default would make a sales tax progressive. The gas tax, however, seems the most regressive option as everyone drives and those less well off may be driving farther to work if that’s what they have to do. Plus, I’ve never been terribly sympathetic to the notion of using a gas tax to manipulate demand.
to gas taxes. When we go to the pump, we are presented with the bottom line price per gallon, not some cheaper figure with the tax appearing at the end when we pay a la the sales tax. When I make a purchase of a sales taxed item, it can often be an unpleasant ‘oh yeah’ moment when the bottom line appears on my receipt with the tax added. I don’t like it. For people living on a fixed income, or pay check to pay check, it doesn’t matter if low income deals are made to mitigate the effect of the tax. The pain is now, and the promise of a credit in April doesn’t help.
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p>I support a gas tax increase, but I’m not convinced that 19 cents is the number to use. I want to see the reforms first, then see what’s needed.
…that sales taxes be included in the sticker price. Again this is more feasible at the national level when standardized, especially if its the 20% level that would probably be necessary to completely replace the income tax.
People paid $4/gallon last summer and the world did not come to an end. The 19-cent gas tax hike seemed like the most painless, cleanest, across-the-board-nobody-is-exempt tax hike I heard about. Of course, I was hoping they’d crank up the gas tax and get rid of tollbooths at the same time, because I’d much rather pay at the pump then stop on the highway. So this sucks on many levels.
We saw last summer that the oil industry was reaping record profits while it took gasoline prices to exceed $4/gal before the demand dropped significantly. Already this Spring we see a run-up in prices. Had the legislature preempted that with the gasoline tax, we would still be paying higher prices, but instead of another round of obscene profits we would be able to feed the transportation infrastructure of the State.
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p>And the toll booths should go, they cost too much and create too much aggravation, as well as increase gas comsumption.
is the only FIXED TAX of the bunch, it HASN’T followed inflation, so its REAL DOLLAR value over time has plummeted. It should be, from what I understand, around $.30 higher than it is if it had kept up with inflation.
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p>The other taxes are percentage taxes and so naturally go up with inflation (but not necessarily with rising costs of things like health care which are way above inflation).
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p>We need a progressive income tax, like yesterday.
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p>We need a increase on the gas tax, with an index to inflation, like now.
I’d like to know exactly who voted against it. Time to rev up the e-mails and phone calls.
Senate has 40 members. Vote was 28-11. 28+11 = 39, we know the Senate President generally abstains, so a good guess is that every Senator not on this list, other than Therese Murray, voted no.
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p>(Note: We still need to verify this list of 11 is correct, though it looks about right)
Hopefully she stays uninfected by the Beacon Hill culcha.
She’s definitely on my “good list.”
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p>Too bad that list is so damn short…
Is she bitter over losing her new gig?
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p>And what about all the other Boston Sens?
– Petruccelli — this guy represents Eastie for God’s sake. Enjoy $7 tolls you putz.
– Hart — I would love to see what % of his district relies on the MBTA. I would guess it is one of (if not the) highest in the state.
– Galluccio — another MBTA-heavy district… plus a lot of N Shore people that will get hit hard with bridge/tunnel tolls.
– and while we’re at it… what about Creem (Newton/Brookline)
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p>A sincere thank you to the Sens who voted for this. Special shout out to Sen. Rosenberg, who represents a Western Mass district but acknowledged the need for more transportation infrastructure investment in the state.
I thought this was the gas tax roll call. Is that available?