Mass. GOP leaders oppose no-tax Question 1

[Ian David]

BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Republican Party is so concerned with excessive state spending, it publicized Sen. James Marzilli's $160 daily salary to complain that he remained on the payroll after being charged with accosting four women.

Sen. Richard Tisei and Rep. Bradley Jones, the Republican leaders in the Senate and House, support tax cuts and constantly complain about a state budget that's grown 43 percent in a decade, from $19.5 billion in fiscal 1999 to $28 billion for fiscal 2009.

Yet, when it comes to Question 1, the fall ballot initiative that proposes to cut state spending by eliminating the income tax, the GOP and its leading lawmakers don't have a knee-jerk reaction.

<snip>

The question -- sponsored by Libertarian Carla Howell -- proposes to eliminate taxes on wages, interest, dividends and capital gains. The current 5.3 percent rate would be phased out by cutting it in half on Jan. 1, 2009, and eliminating it altogether a year later. Supporters say that would give 3 million taxpayers an average of $3,600 annually.

More:
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO82327/

[Realityhack]

1. repealing the state income tax would be a mistake. n/t

[Ian David]

2. Why don't we cut the tax on wages and double the tax on dividends and capital gains? n/t

[jackster]

3. I like it!

:hippie:

[sniffa]

4. Ah, Carla Howell - the 4th place finisher in the 2002 election

Don't blame me though - I voted for the 5th place finisher, Barbera "Gravely" Johnson (though I liked the 3rd place finisher, Jill Stein and was torn).

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Howell - there's a real piece of work.

[chelsea0011]

6. You can't have a repeal of the income tax and also have Prop 2 1/2.

Exactly where would town and city funds come from? This year alone towns and cities in Metro West are cutting into school budgets for lack of money. Schools are always the first to get axed. Repealing the income tax would be like cutting our legs off and seeing what happens.

[Realityhack]

7. Even without prop 2-1/2...

you would screw the lower income/property value towns.

Plus we have enough trouble paying for basic infrastructure as it is. Never mind down the income tax.