Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Virtual Rally III – Contact Governor Deval Patrick!!

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SAMPLE SCRIPT

The most important part of this script is that you customize each section with your own values, personality, etc.

[Introduction:] Hello Governor Patrick. My name is Harmony Blakeway, and I am one of your Allston Constituents.

[Value & Problem:] I am concerned that our state's revenue shortfall threatens the programs that keep our communities strong and healthy, in the very worst time to be cutting those programs – when our friends and neighbors rely on them more than ever.

For instance, the cuts to our state’s Environmental Protection funding are putting all of us at risk – young and old alike!.

[Solution:] The wisest way to address our shortfall is to take a balanced approach to closing the gap – using a combination of federal funds, rainy-day funds, and additional revenues.

[Request:] I urge you to include revenue increases in addition to the cuts necessary to balance our budget – including adjustments that might be made to the Tax Expenditure Budget. 

QUESTIONS?

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Comments

  1. I just recommended Deb’s diary on homeless teens a minute ago because she has identified and is broadcasting here about a gaping hole in our safety net for getting these young people back up on their feet and on a path to productive life.

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    p>And I will add a comment on her Diary ask her to join this virtual rally and ask the Governor, in his 9C message next week to avoid slashing the ripped safety net we still have for these kids, and propose some new revenues to begin to repair it.  

  2. says House Ways and Means Chair Charlie Murphy describing his job at a meeting with the Belmont Board of Selectmen  the Legislative delegation and area residents concerned about the state of Massachusetts finances.Here is the full story from the Tewksbury Advocate.

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    p>Murphy led off on a cheerful note by saying  

    “this job in its current form challenges me every day. It’s a lot of doom and gloom.”

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    p>After some presentations documenting that “working class communities were getting killed by the series of recent 9C cuts.”  

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    p>

    Murphy said he appreciated the analysis but noted that 9C cuts were made by the governor and not the Legislature. He said they were taking a wait and see attitude about the cuts.

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    p>Asked about broad based taxes? Murphy said, “In a word, no. That’s from every level.”

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    p>But then Senator Steve Tolman………..

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    p>

    However, State Sen. Steve Tolman, D-Brighton, disagreed saying the state was a quarter of a billion in the hole while calling the budget “already at the bone.” Tolman said the state was in a predicament with many mental health and others being cut.

    He said if the alcohol tax repeal is on the ballot, voters might approve it due to the cuts in addiction programs……………

    When it was noted that some six-packs of beer were pushed over the $10 level due to the new sales tax, on top of the distribution tax and bottle bill fees, Tolman said the distributor tax hadn’t been raised since the 1970s. He said higher alcohol prices works to curb teenage binge drinking.

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    p>followed by some more sage advice from Chairman Murphy

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    p>

    Murphy suggested that people worried about the alcohol taxes should buy less expensive beers or not drink at all, and spend the money on other things.

    “We’re going to tax things,” he said. “That’s the cost of doing business.”

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    p>Pretty close to the famous Oliver Wendell Homes quote
    about taxes “Taxes are the price we pay for civilization.”

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    p>  

    • Instead of incessantly advocating HIGHER and HIGHER taxes which drive the middle class out of Massachusetts, try thinking of ways to save, economize, and streamline the cost of our state government. Like repealing the Pacheco Law.

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      p>Here’s an immediate extra $200 I found behind the couch cushions:

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      p>Simply swap the Pike’s gross toll revenue for an increase in the gas tax — a politically feasible, tax-neutral event est.d at 19 cents a gallon — then remove the tolls and layoff all Pike employees now working at Mass Highways, you would increase net revenue by around $200 million.  That’s how much it cost to collect $280 million a year in tolls.

      • What are you talking about “tax neutral”  I don’t  use the Pike, it would not be neutral to me.  And I will be livid if the gas tax is raised.  That is a direct hit on the middle class, and the people of Western Ma, who have to drive long distances to work.

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        p>I supported the sales tax.  The only other tax increase I will support is a tax increase on those making more that $150,000+/yr.  

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