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Will Patrick's $1.9 Billion Tax Hike Pass?
The governor's optimistic but state legislators don't sound so sure. What do you think?
Governor Deval Patrick's still bullish about his budget proposal, which will raise $1.9 billion in new revenue through an increase in the income tax, decrease in the sales tax, and various other changes to taxes, fees and deductions. But the men and women who have to pass the bill don't sound as eager to support a package many see as a politically-damaging measure.
The Boston Herald quotes several Beacon Hill legislators who sounded notes of caution to outright opposition to the budget. Those quoted cited the 1990 election losses in the wake of an income tax increase, pressure on small businesses and the higher price of gas as reasons they were skeptical. And the governor's new web tools touting proposed transportation and education projects in specific political districts hasn't done much to warm the waters, according to the Herald.
What do you think? Is the governor's budget dead on arrival, or does he have a shot at getting it passed? Would you pass this budget if you were a state senator? Does the state need the additional revenue or should it learn to live with the money it already collects? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
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ctownBOS
9:16 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
What a jerk!
just thinking
3:29 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
we are broke now and this clown wants to put a rail line nobody will use,another moronic move by the left
PJT
5:55 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
Patrick is ignoring an inconvenient truth. The deficit for MA, as for all states in the union, is driectly caused by illegal aliens. Conservatively, Massachusetts hosts 300,000 illegal aliens who avail themselves of myriad of taxpayer funded services. These same people remit at minimum $ 1.8 billion per year to 200 foreign countries. These monies will never enter the Massachusetts economy. The Patrick and Obama shared vision is to make the tax payer responsible for the entire world, and to diminish the US as a world power. Under Obama, foreign aid has increased 80%. This should have been the first budget cut. Obama keeps to the vision of his absent father, a rabid anticolonist. See documentary "Obama 2016, " and read carfeully "Dreams from ( not of) My Father."
Donald`L
10:34 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
What else is new!! The mighty hand of government continues to stick it's hand in my pants pocket, my shirt pocket and every where else. There is no satisfying the beast.
BH Resident
11:13 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013
Sick and tired of all these democrats giving away monies to the undeserving. Why work when you can get free handouts. The other day an illegal immigrant getting free housing and healthcare with 7 children and no job said how much she loves Obama. I'm sure she does! I don't happen to share the same feelings for him or any other of the other buffoon democrats running this state. I'm tired of slaving away to provide for my family only to see it taken away, the bills keep coming in and government asking for more. We are clearly not all created equal, it's called discrimination of another kind. Taking from the ones who strive to better themselves and give to the scrounges.
shirley kressel
10:50 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Yes, our money is being given away to those who don't deserve it -- but it's not those bad poor people and "aliens." It's fabulously rich corporations. The government -- federal, state, and city -- is giving away hundreds of billions of dollars a year to these parasites, in tax breaks, cash grants, land deals, tax-exempt loans, etc., stealing our services and further enriching the rich. Posters here who are bitter that someone is reaching into their pockets should find out where the real welfare fraud is taking place, and blame the corrupt politicians who sacrifice our public services to benefit their corporate puppet-masters. It's easy to kick poor people, and hard to get at the rich, but at least you should know the right target for your anger.