CLT UPDATE
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for
dinner"
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting
on what to have for dinner."
— Attributed to libertarian author
James Bovard
Gov. Deval Patrick faces a high-stakes week in
his battle to sell his $1.9 billion tax plan to skeptical lawmakers,
as his transportation execs appear before a legislative panel and a
well-organized group of hundreds of advocates try to rally support
for more taxes and spending among reluctant Beacon Hill lawmakers.
“We’re definitely at the height of the campaign,”
said Andi Mullin, the director of
Campaign for Our Communities, which will rally at the State
House. “The next few weeks will be critical.”
The Boston Herald
Monday, March 11, 2013
Gov’s transport, tax plans to be put to the test
House Speaker Robert DeLeo's announcement last
week that he'll get behind a plan to raise new revenues for
transportation has filled activists with hope that a tax hike of
some type will find its way to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk this year.
On Tuesday, the State House halls were teeming
with tax hike supporters directly lobbying lawmakers to get behind
proposals such as the $1.9 billion tax plan offered in January by
Gov. Deval Patrick.
DeLeo's House appears likely to support a smaller
revenue package but one with substantial revenues for
transportation, which would free up other state revenues for
investments throughout the state budget.
Hundreds of tax hike supporters filled Gardner
Auditorium where they gave Patrick a standing ovation as he entered
the room, chanting "Si, se puede," as they borrowed President Brack
Obama's 2008 campaign slogan translated to "yes, we can."
Patrick called taxes "the price of civilization"
and said he does not think it is wrong to ask wealthier citizens to
contribute more according to their ability to pay.
"Instead of running full tilt away from the issue
everybody is uncomfortable with we have invited to have a grown up
conversation about what it actually costs to have the kind of
Commonwealth we say we want,” Patrick told the crowd, before
traveling to the first floor to speak with more advocates crowded
into an overflow room....
In that respect, Patrick’s plan accomplishes
goals of a graduated income tax. The Legislature's Revenue Committee
plans a public hearing March 19 on a menu of bills including Sen.
Stanley Rosenberg's proposal (S 17) making an amendment to the state
constitution to allow a graduated income tax....
In a
memo to lawmakers Tuesday, Citizens for Limited Taxation
highlighted state drug lab and public assistance benefit problems as
costly mistakes that occurred under Patrick's watch and said working
taxpayers are too busy to turn out for rallies.
"We productive taxpayers who pay already too much
of what we earn to support their comforts are too engaged in working
and surviving to attend rallies, public circuses for the
entertainment of those at the State House - even in defense of our
own survival interests," CLT wrote in its memo, noting voters in
2000 passed a ballot question calling for a 5 percent income tax
rate and predicting taxpayers will remember tax increases when they
head to the voting booths in November 2014.
State House News Service
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
At State House, overflow crowd filled with hope for tax hikes
Gov. Deval L. Patrick ramped up his push for a
$1.9 billion tax hike Tuesday, telling hundreds of supporters at the
Statehouse to persuade the Legislature to support it....
Among those pushing back Tuesday was Citizens
for Limited Taxation. The group complained about the state drug
lab and welfare fraud scandals while arguing that most working
people are too busy to hold rallies during the week.
“We productive taxpayers who pay already too much
of what we earn to support their comforts are too engaged in working
and surviving to attend rallies, public circuses for the
entertainment of those at the State House,” the group wrote in a
letter to legislators. They cited passage of a ballot question 13
years ago calling for a 5 percent income tax rate, warning voters
will react at the voting booth when state elections are held next
year.
The Telegram & Gazette
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Patrick rallies forces to push tax hike
Gov. Deval L. Patrick today urged hundreds of
people to lobby state lawmakers in support of his plan to raise
taxes by $1.9 billion a year to finance education and transportation
improvements.
"Are we prepared to do for the next generation
what our grandparents did for us?" Patrick said in an emotional
speech in front of about 600 people at the Statehouse.
The Campaign for Our Communities, a coalition in
support of the governor's tax plan, held a rally with Patrick as
state lawmakers consider the tax plan....
Also, during a hearing by the state Legislature's
Joint Committee on Transportation, Michael J. Widmer, president of
the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, estimated the state’s
transportation needs at $800 million a year.
Widmer said that a 15-cent increase in the
state's 23.5-cent-a-gallon gas tax, combined with regular increases
in Registry fees and tolls, would provide sufficient funding for the
system. “By 2017, you get $821 million,” Widmer said, according to
the Statehouse News Service....
The Springfield Republican
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Gov. Deval Patrick urges hundreds of supporters to lobby for his tax
hike
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Chip Ford's CLT
Commentary
As we taxpayer are becoming more like lambs
offered up to
the slaughter, our first priority is to remove wolves from the
protected species list.
Not only do their numbers seem to be close to
exceeding those of productive taxpayers, but by our supporting the
predators' every comfort we enable them the luxury of time to
organize against and bite the hand that feeds them
— us.
We, the informed voters, recognize that this
trend cannot and will not go on forever, or even for much longer.
They, the uninformed voters, will only continue to demand more from
us for their personal comfort and leisure —
until it is unsustainable but still they'll demand more. They simply
don't know any better, or any different.
When they reach the critical mass of two wolves,
we solitary taxpayer-lambs are doomed to lunch status.
We are not far from being their lunch (though we
now provide it to them regardless, though their EBT cards), as they
chant with increasing vigor "Si, se puede." (My thanks to the State
House News Service for also providing translation service for us
"For-English-Press-Two" growing minority!)
The State House News Service reported:
"Patrick’s plan accomplishes goals of a graduated income tax. The
Legislature's Revenue Committee plans a public hearing March 19 on a
menu of bills including Sen. Stanley Rosenberg's proposal (S 17)
making an amendment to the state constitution to allow a graduated
income tax."
That is a battle which CLT and the voters have
fought and defeated many times in the past when it was on the
ballot. (To create a graduated income tax requires a state
constitutional amendment, and that requires a ballot question
decided by a majority of voters. CLT and/or the voters have
defeated each of those efforts in the past: In 1962, 1968,
1972, 1976, and most recently on the 1994 ballot. It was the
specific reason for which CLT was founded in 1976.)
CLT may need to organize and execute another
repeal petition drive in the near future. If nothing else,
putting repeal of a tax hike on the 2014 ballot will give those who
vote for a tax hike a huge issue to defend when they run for
re-election. In the past, it has caused many who voted for such an
imposition to lose their seats — and
killed the tax hikes over which they lost them.
There's not much standing between the lambs,
increasingly outnumbered by the wolves . . .
We're now talking about taxpayer survival.
I won't be anyone's lunch without a fight to the
death, and hope you're with us. We will surely need you!
I expect you are.
If you haven't already
for 2013, help us continue the fight for you!
RENEW
YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN CLT NOW
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Chip Ford |
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The Boston Herald
Monday, March 11, 2013
Gov’s transport, tax plans to be put to the test
By Chris Cassidy
Gov. Deval Patrick faces a high-stakes week in his battle to sell
his $1.9 billion tax plan to skeptical lawmakers, as his
transportation execs appear before a legislative panel and a
well-organized group of hundreds of advocates try to rally support
for more taxes and spending among reluctant Beacon Hill lawmakers.
“We’re definitely at the height of the campaign,” said Andi Mullin,
the director of
Campaign for Our Communities, which will rally at the State
House. “The next few weeks will be critical.”
The Joint Committee on Transportation tomorrow will hear
Transportation Secretary Richard Davey, MBTA Commissioner Beverly
Scott and MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DiPaola make Patrick’s
case for $1 billion in transportation spending.
“We’re going to listen politely to the governor, digest what he has
to say and clear out what’s doable ... and what’s going to be
difficult by the taxpayer and their pocketbook,” said state Sen.
Thomas Kennedy
(D-Brockton).
State Sen. Robert Hedlund wants answers on how the state will afford
operating the proposed $1.8 billion South Coast Rail Line.
Meanwhile, Patrick urged supporters in an email to attend tomorrow’s
State House rally.
“Yes, my proposal means raising taxes for some,” Patrick wrote. “And
yes, this may feel like a tough vote for some of your legislators.
But the notion that lower taxes leads inevitably to faster economic
growth is a myth.”
State House News Service
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
At State House, overflow crowd filled with hope for tax hikes
By Michael Norton and Matt Murphy
House Speaker Robert DeLeo's announcement last week that he'll get
behind a plan to raise new revenues for transportation has filled
activists with hope that a tax hike of some type will find its way
to Gov. Deval Patrick's desk this year.
On Tuesday, the State House halls were teeming with tax hike
supporters directly lobbying lawmakers to get behind proposals such
as the $1.9 billion tax plan offered in January by Gov. Deval
Patrick.
DeLeo's House appears likely to support a smaller revenue package
but one with substantial revenues for transportation, which would
free up other state revenues for investments throughout the state
budget.
Hundreds of tax hike supporters filled Gardner Auditorium where they
gave Patrick a standing ovation as he entered the room, chanting "Si,
se puede," as they borrowed President Brack Obama's 2008 campaign
slogan translated to "yes, we can."
Patrick called taxes "the price of civilization" and said he does
not think it is wrong to ask wealthier citizens to contribute more
according to their ability to pay.
"Instead of running full tilt away from the issue everybody is
uncomfortable with we have invited to have a grown up conversation
about what it actually costs to have the kind of Commonwealth we say
we want,” Patrick told the crowd, before traveling to the first
floor to speak with more advocates crowded into an overflow room.
Under Patrick's complex tax code overhaul, which raises the 5.25
percent income tax and lowers the sales tax while eliminating a menu
of tax exemptions and deductions, the bulk of new revenues would
come from higher-earning residents, with many low and middle-income
residents paying about the same amount in taxes as they do now.
In that respect, Patrick’s plan accomplishes goals of a graduated
income tax. The Legislature's Revenue Committee plans a public
hearing March 19 on a menu of bills including Sen. Stanley
Rosenberg's proposal (S 17) making an amendment to the state
constitution to allow a graduated income tax.
Patrick urged ralliers to bring his message to lawmakers, and later
told reporters he has not given up hope that the Legislature will
back a new revenue proposal with enough funding to accomplish his
goals in education and transportation. "I'm not hoping. I'm
working," he said.
In a
memo to lawmakers Tuesday, Citizens for Limited Taxation
highlighted state drug lab and public assistance benefit problems as
costly mistakes that occurred under Patrick's watch and said working
taxpayers are too busy to turn out for rallies.
"We productive taxpayers who pay already too much of what we earn to
support their comforts are too engaged in working and surviving to
attend rallies, public circuses for the entertainment of those at
the State House - even in defense of our own survival interests,"
CLT wrote in its memo, noting voters in 2000 passed a ballot
question calling for a 5 percent income tax rate and predicting
taxpayers will remember tax increases when they head to the voting
booths in November 2014.
The Telegram & Gazette
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Patrick rallies forces to push tax hike
By John J. Monahan
Gov. Deval L. Patrick ramped up his push for a $1.9 billion tax hike
Tuesday, telling hundreds of supporters at the Statehouse to
persuade the Legislature to support it.
The lobbying effort comes as the Democratic leaders in the House
have given the proposal a cold reception, with House Speaker Robert
A. DeLeo, D-Winthrop, saying he believes the tax hike needs to be
much smaller.
But the governor Tuesday appeared unrelenting in his push for the
tax hike, casting it as a decision over whether to improve economic,
education and transportation systems for the next generation. The
governor's plan would raise the state income tax from 5.25 to 6.25
percent and lower the sales tax to 4.5 percent.
“Taxes are the price of civilization,” Mr. Patrick told about 600
activists including seniors, teachers, public and private sector
unions, neighborhood improvement groups, transit activists and
businesses who filled Gardner Auditorium at the Statehouse and gave
the governor a rock star reception with roars of applause when he
entered the hall.
“Where you need to be is at every single House and Senate office
today talking to the members and to their staff about the value of
these investments in your own lives,” the governor told the group,
which was clearly energized by the governor's speech as they filed
out of the hall into the hallways.
Among those pushing back Tuesday was Citizens for Limited
Taxation. The group complained about the state drug lab and
welfare fraud scandals while arguing that most working people are
too busy to hold rallies during the week.
“We productive taxpayers who pay already too much of what we earn to
support their comforts are too engaged in working and surviving to
attend rallies, public circuses for the entertainment of those at
the State House,” the group wrote in a letter to legislators. They
cited passage of a ballot question 13 years ago calling for a 5
percent income tax rate, warning voters will react at the voting
booth when state elections are held next year.
State Rep. James J. O'Day, D-West Boylston, who has filed a bill for
a smaller income tax increase to 5.95 percent with no lowering of
the sales tax rate, said he hopes the Legislature “will settle on
something between mine and the governor's” proposal.
He said House leaders at this point “have kept the door open as
exactly how they are going to discuss revenues” and over how large a
tax hike may be approved. Mr. DeLeo is expecting to put out a
proposal for tax hikes at the end of this month.
Mr. O'Day said alternatives tax proposals may be considered, but
that he would not like to see a gas tax increase because it does not
keep costs down for middle-class families. “That can be problematic
for people struggling day-to-day. If you are making $28,000 a year
and you have to drive to Marlboro every day from Sturbridge or
Worcester even, at the end of the year that is a significant hit,”
Mr. O'Day said.
Pointing to the Massachusetts Turnpike, the MBTA and the interstate
highway system, Mr. Patrick said current residents can credit
decisions and sacrifices by their grandparents to make life better
for the next generation.
“Those decisions and the sacrifice to enable those decisions didn't
just contribute to our comfort. They led to the biggest run-up and
expansion of wealth and prosperity in the history of humankind. They
created jobs,” he said.
“We need an education system that works for every child. There are
still children trapped in achievement gap,” the governor said.
arguing that the tax hike would fund expanded early education for
30,000 needy children on waiting lists, expanded middle-school
programs and more affordable state college educations.
He said the funds would allow the state to modernize public transit
systems, expand commuter rail to New Bedford and Fall River, provide
safe bridges and regional transit systems that run on the weekends.
The governor's plan would raise taxes for people earning more than
$62,000, with those making more than $100,000 paying $300 or $400 in
higher total taxes a year. Anyone earning less would see no
increase, he said.
“I don't think that it is wrong to ask them to contribute according
to their ability to pay,” the governor said. He concluded that not
raising taxes would be a decision that would say “tough luck” to
“all our kids and grandkids” by resigning the state to inadequate
education programs and a problem-ridden poorly financed
transportation system.
“Let's be real clear: These ends are worth it. They are worth
fighting for. And this is our moment to do for another generation
what our grandparents did for us,” Mr. Patrick said.
While opponents criticized the plan, Republican lawmakers and groups
like Citizens for Limited Taxation have struggled to be heard over
the statewide push by the governor and special interest groups.
Stephen Crawford, a political consultant who has worked on many
campaigns launched by the governor, is helping to coordinate the
Campaign for Our Communities coalition, which backs the proposal.
He said the 125 groups lined up to support the tax hike, are
contributing money to the effort and are working on their own and in
a joint effort to targeting legislators and the public with messages
of support. The group has provided buses for activists to get to
rallies such as the one at the Statehouse today, set up of a website
to promote the tax hike, distribute press releases and provide box
lunches to participants at events. Beyond that, unions and larger
groups have been sending out their own mailings to legislators
seeking support.
At the same time the governor's cabinet has promoted the tax
increase plan to groups across the state in regional budget hearings
and at special political events. The effort is registering with many
legislators, Mr. Crawford said, noting that one legislator counted
92 pieces of mail yesterday in support of the tax hike.
Mr. DeLeo said last week he wants to act on a tax hike before the
House begins budget deliberations in mid-April.
The Springfield Republican
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Gov. Deval Patrick urges hundreds of supporters to lobby for his tax
hike
By Dan Ring
Gov. Deval L. Patrick today urged hundreds of people to lobby state
lawmakers in support of his plan to raise taxes by $1.9 billion a
year to finance education and transportation improvements.
"Are we prepared to do for the next generation what our grandparents
did for us?" Patrick said in an emotional speech in front of about
600 people at the Statehouse.
The Campaign for Our Communities, a coalition in support of the
governor's tax plan, held a rally with Patrick as state lawmakers
consider the tax plan.
Last week, in a blow to the governor's plan, House Speaker Robert A.
DeLeo said he would support a "significantly smaller" plan to hike
taxes.
During a meeting with legislative leaders on Monday, Patrick said,
DeLeo gave him no indication how much he is willing to increase
taxes.
"He is working it through. The body will work it through," Patrick
told reporters after his speech. "That is part of the process. He
has assured me nothing is off the table and I appreciate that."
Patrick said he expects changes in his tax package.
"When I made this proposal, I said at the outset there was more than
one way to accomplish these ends but we should agree these are the
right ends. I think the speaker shares these goals very much."
Patrick is seeking to raise the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25
percent and to lower the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent.
Also, during a hearing by the state Legislature's Joint Committee on
Transportation, Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts
Taxpayers Foundation, estimated the state’s transportation needs at
$800 million a year.
Widmer said that a 15-cent increase in the state's
23.5-cent-a-gallon gas tax, combined with regular increases in
Registry fees and tolls, would provide sufficient funding for the
system. “By 2017, you get $821 million,” Widmer said, according to
the Statehouse News Service.
Patrick said he is concerned that an increase in only the gas tax
would fail to generate enough money to pay for regional road and
bridge projects such as some in Western Massachusetts.
"I don't rule out anything including a gas tax increase, a modest
gas tax increase, as a part of the solution," Patrick told reporters
on Monday. "But we are not going to be able to get all the way there
with a gas tax increase alone."
Patrick's tax increase would eventually provide about $1 billion
annual increases over current spending for education and
transportation.
Patrick is proposing $550 million increase in education spending in
his proposed $34.8 billion state budget for the fiscal year starting
July 1.
The education plan includes $226 million increase in general
education aid to communities, $131 million increase to reduce a wait
list for state-subsidized early education and care for pre-school
children and $152 million increase for state colleges and
universities. The higher education money would provide a dramatic
hike in scholarships for students attending public and private
colleges and an increase for the University of Massachusetts that
would be enough to freeze tuition and fees for the next academic
year.
The state currently spends about $6.17 billion on education each
year. |
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Citizens for Limited Taxation ▪
PO Box 1147 ▪ Marblehead, MA 01945
▪ 508-915-3665
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