Good news: Beacon Hill politicians are feeling the heat to keep their
promise. On Thursday, House Speaker Thomas M. Finneran unveiled a plan to trim the state
income tax from 5.95 to 5.75 percent. That doesn't take the state back to 5 percent, but
it's a start.
Nine years ago, when lawmakers hiked taxes, they promised to reduce
them to 5 percent as soon as the state's financial crisis was over. The crisis ended long
ago, and Massachusetts government is swimming in surplus revenue, yet -- surprise,
surprise -- the politicians won't give the public its money back.
Enter Gov. A. Paul Cellucci.
Gov. Cellucci, a Republican, threatened to put the question of
rolling back taxes on the ballot next year. It does not take Nostradamus to predict how
the voters would react if they got such a chance.
So Speaker Finneran, a Democrat, decided to give the taxpayers at
least something back.
Unfortunately, Senate President Thomas F. Birmingham, another
Democrat, is still balking.
The echoes of Speaker Finneran's press conference had barely subsided
when Sen. Birmingham announced the Senate will not cut taxes this year.
Sen. Birmingham said he hears no public support for what he calls an
"irresponsible" tax cut.
"I hear about education. I hear about work force training. I
hear about health care. I hear about public safety," Sen. Birmingham said.
He may not have spoken to struggling families in the Merrimack
Valley, but we have. We would be happy to convey their message: Keep your promise and roll
back the taxes.
Politicians are forever demanding more money. But heavy tax burdens
do not automatically translate to quality schools, health care and public safety.
States with lower taxes, in fact, are the ones attracting new
business, fueling their economies and dramatically increasing tax revenue. Massachusetts
itself was able to enjoy the benefits of the booming '90s by reducing its tax burden. To
keep the economy humming, and revenues flowing, it is crucial that Massachusetts position
itself as a place where people can live without being taxed to death.
It is important, too, that politicians keep their word.
Gov. Cellucci is vowing to make that happen. When he heard what Sen.
Birmingham had to say, he promised to lead the charge for a ballot question.
"I'm not in a negotiating mood," he said.
To which, we say: Good!