National Federation of Independent
Business
NEWS RELEASE
Small-Business Owners Overwhelmingly Support
Income Tax Rate Reduction
October 10, 2000
Contact: Bill Vernon, 617-482-1327
Mindi Boyagian, 202-554-9000
NFIB state director joins Governor Cellucci at press conference to offer group's endorsement
of Ballot Question 4
NFIB/Massachusetts State Director Bill Vernon today joined Gov. Paul Cellucci at a press
conference to announce the group's endorsement of an initiative that will appear on the
November ballot to rollback the personal income tax to five percent.
In 1989, lawmakers temporarily increased the personal income tax rate. The initiative, which
will appear as Question 4 on the ballot, proposes to gradually reduce the rate back to its
original five percent level for the tax year 2003 and thereafter.
"Eleven years ago, the state faced a fiscal crisis and the income tax rate was temporarily
increased as a remedy," Vernon said. "Well, the crisis is over. Lawmakers made a promise to
Massachusetts' taxpayers when they voted to increase the tax. It's time to honor that
promise."
A recent NFIB tax survey of its members found near-unanimous support (96%) for returning
the personal income tax to its original level.
"The small-business community is united in its support for this ballot initiative," Vernon
said. "Small business is a powerful force and will make its voice heard on Election Day."
Vernon said the small-business support for the rollback is not surprising. "Small- business
owners are directly affected by this tax," he said. "Most NFIB members in the state are not
incorporated and therefore, as business owners, pay the personal income tax just like their
employees.
"Returning the income tax to its original level will help protect the state's economic
future by allowing taxpayers to grow their savings and providing business owners with more
capital for investment and job growth."