For Immediate Release
Monday, May 9, 2002
Contact: Chip Faulkner - (508) 384-0100
Homeowners and property taxpayers across the Commonwealth
are relieved that state Rep. Deborah Blumer (D-Framingham) withdrew her proposed amendment to gut Proposition
2½. A return to the horrific growth of unrestrained property taxes of the '70s has been
fended off, at least for now.
But her substitute proposal calling for a "blue ribbon commission" to study Prop.
2½ to achieve any credibility or legitimacy whatsoever fails embarrassingly: it does not include
the sponsors of Proposition 2½, Citizens for Limited Taxation.
Rep. Blumer's proposed commission would be made up of representatives from the
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the School
Committees Association and the two chairmen of the Legislature's Taxation Committee.
"How can a commission comprised of municipal spending interests and the Massachusetts
Taxpayers Foundation be considered anything but a rubber-stamp for diluting Prop.
2½ and increasing the burden on already-overwhelmed homeowners?" asked Chip Faulkner,
associate director of CLT.
Rep. Blumer's proposal should be rejected, but if it is to
be given any credibility or legitimacy, the very least she can do is provide CLT and its ally throughout the Prop.
2½ campaign, the Massachusetts High Tech Council, a seat at her table.