Faced with declining revenues, cuts to local aid and rising costs, many Massachusetts towns are increasing hotel and meals taxes as well as overriding Proposition 2 1/2 to raise property taxes.In Rockland, residents voted 2-1 in favor of a … [Read more...]
Let’s hang together, or …
Now is the winter of everyone's discontent. Gigantic budget cuts are now necessary; local aid slashed; new taxes proposed to try to patch the gaping holes in state and local budgets. Nobody's happy.Therefore, I'm not very … [Read more...]
A bad start to Michael Flaherty’s campaign for mayor
Oy. Flaherty, who announced his candidacy Sunday, said the city shouldn't be pushing for a 2 percent tax increase, charging it will hurt average working families and force restaurants out of business. "A meals tax for him is the answer" as … [Read more...]
My letter to the Editor in Support of the Municipal Partnership Act
First, if my letter inspires you to write a letter to the editor, you can find the e-mail addresses to do that for EVERY paper in Massachusetts at:http://www.masshome....Next, here is my letter:Dear Editor:I am writing as a citizen of the … [Read more...]
Municipal Relief: Patrick ups the ante
Casey sez Patrick's got a posse in the cities and towns:Gov. Deval Patrick today launched an aggressive campaign to win passage of new local taxes on meals and telecommunications companies that he says would relieve pressure on sky-high … [Read more...]