To: Members of the General Court
October 18, 2005
Re: Supplemental Budget
Last week, when a
debate on the income tax rollback was ruled out of order by the
chair, we were told that it would be allowed in the supplemental budget.
As Rep. Scaccia said:
"Pull back some and let that take place when we
have a supplementary budget. That is the true document to take up
taxes...."
And here it is! Time to keep a commitment to have a
debate with its roll call vote, on an income tax rollback that was
promised by the Legislature in 1989, passed by the voters in 2000, and
"temporarily" frozen in 2003.
"Broken promises" has been the issue, more than taxes. But now we point
out that your constituents can really use the money for fuel costs this
winter. Its no longer "a pizza a week," as our opponents like to argue,
but another degree of warmth on the thermostat as cold and flu season
approach.
Every tax is a pay cut. Many of us in the private sector are having a
hard time keeping up with the Massachusetts cost of living. You cut our
pay when you froze the rollback. Now as you consider pay hikes for
people who make much more than the statewide average, and get much
better pensions than our threatened Social Security, remember those of
us who pay for it all. Please reduce our income tax rate as promised.
Legislators got away with raising taxes in 2003. This winter, when many
of your constituents are colder in their homes than comfortable, they
may start comparing fuel bills to tax bills and see one reason for their
discomfort you.
We hope the leadership which is your responsibility, Democrats will
allow a debate with pro-rollback Republicans on the voter-mandated tax
cut. And we further hope you will vote to at last keep the promise and
restore the income tax rate immediately to 5 percent.