How can we take advantage of the furor over income inequality and increase state revenues by taxing the 1%? David informs me (see first comment) that the Massachusetts constitution calls for a single income tax rate for everyone! Raising … [Read more...]
Generational responsibility? Try it and you’ll go to jail.
I find this to be a shocking display of why the powerless can never get ahead. What this woman did is something I might have done if I lived part of the time with my father in another town. I would have felt it OK to enroll my … [Read more...]
Making our Tax System more Progressive? Concord might think so!
The proposal calls for lowering the property tax and imposing a 2 percent tax on income. This means that each person would contribute a more equitable share of his or her income to the local community, making the overall local tax system … [Read more...]
Listening tour: Revenue Committee in Worcester
When asked about whether Massachusetts needs to increase taxes due to a possible $1 billion deficit in the fiscal year 2010 budget, and an even larger deficit next year, Beckwith noted that while there is no consensus on any new revenue … [Read more...]
Chapter 40T, Special Development Districts, is back
Cities and town governments may welcome 40T as "free" private money for infrastructure they can't afford -- often because they're giving away too many subsidies to developers already. It will be used to end-run Proposition 2 1/2, since the … [Read more...]
Of property taxes, health insurance, and the GIC
The piece, authored by Samuel Tyler of the Boston Municipal Research Beureau, argues that the present system of funding municipal health insurance is unsustainable because of the upward pressure it places on local real estate taxes.By way … [Read more...]
Local bloggers who are kicking butt
For your consideration:Massachusetts Liberal: We don't always agree, but read his (?) stuff every day. Every day.The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (you know, the "liberal" one) has a report out that places Massachusetts business … [Read more...]
$1 billion in new taxes?
Just saw that Mitt Romney came to the defense of Kerry Healey's shellacking in last night's debate. He says Deval's $1 billion figure is false. (Deval says $1 billion of new taxes have been imposed on the Massachusetts taxpayer … [Read more...]
Is Patricks tax position courageous, or is it just the best plan?
The rollback stands to save the average family between $200 and $300 per year, so about $4.50 a week. The property tax for the average family has gone up $910 in the last six years. So the rollback will be great for helping … [Read more...]
Gabbin’ with Gabrieli — at length!
David asked first: Why run for governor? Gabrieli notes (as does Christy Mihos) that Massachusetts is 46th in job creation. To Gabrieli, the economy is not just a source of opportunity for individuals, but also allows government to expand … [Read more...]