Eight ballot questions will face Massachusetts voters when
they go to the polls on Nov. 7. Last Sunday, the Cape Cod Times endorsed half the questions. Two more are reviewed today.
Question No. 4 would reduce the state personal income tax
rate in steps over three years to 5 percent. Currently, the tax rate is 5.85 percent.
If approved, the law would set the rate at 5.6 percent for
2001, 5.3 percent for 2002, and 5 percent for 2003 and after.
Eleven years ago, the Massachusetts Legislature increased
the tax rate during a financial crisis. At the time, legislators called the tax hike "temporary" and that the rate
would quickly return to 5 percent.
Since then, state spending has doubled. Huge surpluses have
helped fund the Big Dig and new programs.
For working people, this tax rollback is a pay raise;
seniors benefit too because the "unearned income" rate tracks the wage rate. Lower taxes protect our state economy.
But the best reason to vote for Question 4 is to make
politicians keep their promise and to hold them accountable.
Vote yes on Question 4.