Advocates rally for tax increases
By John Drake, Globe Staff
At a rally this morning in front of the State House, public school students and advocates for community service programs urged lawmakers to raise a bevy of taxes to prevent budget cuts.
 (George Rizer/Globe Staff) |
"We want to send a message to the legislators that we support new revenue," said Yawu Miller, of ONE Massachusetts, which organized the rally of about 50 people.
But there was no agreement within the group about which taxes to raise, pointing to the challenge facing lawmakers in crafting a budget as revenue projections continue to fall.
Community groups already were frustrated with Governor Deval Patrick's budget, with many saying the cuts unduly impacted schools and mental health services. The House budget, released last week, cut even deeper, they said today.
"The cuts in the House budget are unsustainable and devastating," said Myriam Ortiz of the Boston Parent Organizing Network. "We urge you to pass an adequate and balanced tax package, to give cities and towns the right to levy local options taxes and to use any and all economic stimulus funds available."
School advocates urged lawmakers to let cities and towns raise taxes locally on meals and hotel rooms. Healthcare reform advocates pressed for lifting exemptions on taxes on candy and alcohol and raising taxes on smokeless tobacco. And an advocate for affordable housing called for an income tax hike. Some lawmakers and advocates also are seeking a one percent increase in the state's 5 percent sales tax.
"The taxes we've talked about specifically will not only increase revenue but will help with the public's health," said Amy Whitcomb Slemmer, executive director of Health Care for All. "Lawmakers have a series of very tough decisions ahead of them, and Health Care for All is supporting them as they make the tough decisions to raise revenues."
House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said yesterday that the he is willing to consider all tax increases except a hike in the income tax, which he said is off limits.
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Notice how these nitwits have time to "rally" in support of higher taxes? it's easy when you don't have to work for a living....
So, 50 or so STUDENTS and professional whiners get reported, but 1,500 TAXPAYERS a week ago get no reporting at all?
BTW: might want to do a spell check before posting. But, you were probably in a rush to get something up that fit your narrative of the need to raise taxes.
get a job
Hmmm.... "At a rally this morning in front of the State House, public school students..."
Why weren't they in class?
Tax increase rally of 50 people at the State house makes the Globe. Tea Party rally of 1000 people at the State house is not newsworthy.
Between federal, state, property, sales, excise, FICA, medicaire, and other taxes, the government is already taking half my income. How much is enough?
Cities and towns need to raise taxes to do this! Our children are our future!
So let me get this straight, The Globe will put this on the front page of boston.com but you had to search really hard through the Business section to find anything about the tea parties on April 15. I find that very interesting.
gotta love how these people have the gaul to protest FOR YOUR MONEY! Why don't these 50 or so protesters sign over 100% of their paychecks (if they work) for the next couple years. Anyone who wants to join them can do the same. i bet that during tax time they DO NOT pay anymore than they owe do they? They want everyone else to pay more, and take even more food out of the mouths of our childern.
I think it's pretty telling that the folks attending this rally have time to do it during the day, when the rest of us are at work making the money they want to tax....
Surprising that in this economy these people are brain washed by the Massachusetts HACKS.
Rasing taxes in a recession = BAD IDEA
Perfect, all companies that have to meet budgets and cannot run on credit cards cut staff and spending to keep their business running.
Not our goverment, get out the credit card and charge your customers more money. Afterall the customers cannot go to another vendor/company for services.
I do hope all of these absolutely perfect comments were also CC'd to our legislators, and followed up by phone calls. THAT makes THE difference. The established ratios are from 1,000 to 100,000 to ONE. If a politician gets 1 call/e mail/ fax they extrapolate and assume that one person represents at least 1,000 up to 100,000 silent (but voting at election time) others.
It's really that simple. Please always CC your area legislator state, federal and city/town. You will be a amazed what a difference that makes. I have literally seen it. These guys want to get re-elected. Period. Contacing them tetells them in very simple terms what it will take to stay in office - or get booted! Tell them! Keep their contact info on your desk tops. I do and I ahve the most amazing conversations with them - some really do care and DO change their votes. But they cannot read minds - we have to tell them anad they'll respnd.
These guys wnaty to get re-elected.
So what was the combined tax payments for this group? My guess is close to zero since most of them were probably students.
Nice that people can protest that they are not getting enough of my money.
How many of those at the rally live off of the public teat or a "not for profit" that leach of endowments and/or grants?
Talk about advocacy journalism...
The Globe's only story about the 1500 people attending the local Tea Party is an AP story bylined somewhere in the Midwest buried deep in the paper.
But 50 non-taxpayers meet to protest that we don't pay enough taxes gets immediate placement on the web with pictures and a staff writer. Did anyone ask how this group was organized. The story was just reported this morning and all of a sudden there are 50 people organized to meet at the State House. And coincidentally, a Globe reporter and photographer were present to capture the moment.
Hmmm.....
It's no surprising if Taxachusetts is decided to raise taxes on hardworking people who are struggling to live on paycheck by paycheck every month. They keep stealing from us hard working people. In this economic downturn, we were asked to take a paycut and government is talking about raising taxes. Is it fair ? Aren't we pay enough taxes already ? How much is enough ? We pay , federal/state income tax, FICA, sale tax, property tax, medicare and other taxes.
Let's stop stealing from hardworking people!!! Enough is enough.
"Why weren't they in class?"
Spring break.
some of these are your kids and they are the future... how will they get the job experience they need? can you imagine how many teens are kept off the streets from gang violence over the summers? providing the youth with such jobs and opportunities will only bring together our community. if you want to pay less taxes... and live in a community full of teen violence and crime-- then so be it. don't complain later on.
your current tax money = the money our kids earn from summer jobs
no increase in tax money = no summer jobs for teens = higher rate of teen violence
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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