Education board warns on repeal of income tax
HOLYOKE - The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, saying the measure could devastate public schools, unanimously approved a motion yesterday to oppose repeal of the state income tax.
In its motion, the 11-member board cited a Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation report that estimated a $12.5 billion loss in annual revenue if the income tax were repealed. On Nov. 4, voters will consider a ballot question to abolish the tax.
"The large cuts in education and noneducation aid would have a devastating impact on cities and towns that already are facing serious fiscal problems," said board member Ruth Kaplan of Brookline, reading from the motion during the board's monthly meeting.
Board members had to walk a fine line in casting their vote. Although state law allows public boards to take a position on a ballot question, board members cannot use public money or resources to advocate their position, an Education Department lawyer advised the board before its vote at Holyoke High School.
The board's position did not surprise Carla Howell, chairwoman of the Committee For Small Government, which gathered the signatures necessary to put the income tax repeal question on the ballot.
"The teachers union and the education establishment have been coming down against the taxpayer for 30 years," Howell said. "They advocate for higher government spending and taxes with little if any regard to the working men and women of our state." 