House approves sales tax hike by veto-proof margin

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH hah hahah ha. Ok now. Thanks, I'm glad I live in NH.

But, but, but, I thought when we voted to keep the tax on question #1, the state wouldn't raise taxes?!
LOL! You stupid stupid MA voters. Idiots all of you. The Legislature is making, has made, and will continue to make complete IDIOTS out of all of you.

NH is still sales tax free I'll just go there to buy stuff

Is anyone surprised?

I'm a liberal democrat who generally supports the progressive ideals of liberalism. However, this vote is an embarrassment. A sales tax targets those who are most impacted by this recession; the working poor or near-poor. This act by the legislature is not only a sign of economic ignorance of state "leaders" but a fundamental betrayal of the citizens liberalism is intended to help.
I've vociferously defended the democratic leaders of this state, my state from Republican and Libertarian friends. Yet, this is almost the ultimate betrayal. Hopefully Governor Patrick can find the weakest state reps, and bring down to bear all the political capital he can to defeat this embarrassment of a move.

I'd like to ask the politicians whose voted for this if they've ever owned a business and had to collect the 5% sales tax and then pay the state? I will definately consider moving my business to NH !!! My clients have always had issues paying the 5% and have gone elsewhere to save this money. Technology allows you to do business almost anywhere and the Massholes on beacon hill should know this. It's a critical time in our economy and to increase the current 900 million in sales tax revenue by an additional 2 .25 % is obsurd. You watch, they will increase taxes and revenue will go down becasue businesses will move out of our state or companies will do business elsewhere to save 5%. Let's get rid of those beacon hill elites who raise their own pay during a recession and those 80% pensions and ridiculas $100K-150K+ saleries. Tear it all down and start again!!!!

Keep fighting them Governor. Don't quit. We need you.

The Do-Nothing Legislature will never reform, nor set consistent public policy. All they care about is their own reelection, pork, and providing jobs to their friends.

Start a big media campaign and keep fighting them. It is the only way to get them to do anything other than kick the can down the road, or complain.

DeLeo needed to to the last minute to bribe people and twist-arms. Keep fighting for us and eventually they will reform because the voters will be with you!

I guess I'll buy the stuff I need in New Hampshire now.
Smooth move, guys. Great way to get re-elected.
What's wrong with a gas tax hike or more taxes with alcohol and cigarettes? You know, stuff that's bad for humanity.

Now that it has passed, Mass. voters should make their voices heard. Don't purchase taxable consumer goods in Mass.

Organize a day trip. Make a list of those expensive items you were going to buy. Bring friends and family in a larger vehicle. Then make your way to tax-free NH and buy, buy, buy.

Then send DeLeo thank you cards on behalf of the NH Merchant's Association.

Are you visiting the Cape from NY or NJ? Just refuse to buy things---you dont' like us Sox fans anyway.

That should make the point

The biggest ticket item that Mass. collects on is cars.

If you are thinking of buying a car, get it before the tax kicks in. Same for big ticket appliances that you pay tax on. Get them now, before the tax goes up.

Okay, I typically vote Democratic and I'm not an anti-tax activist by any stretch of the imagination, but this is the wrong move at the wrong time. The lack of debate on this proposal and the haste with which it was passed really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. (I can only imagine what under-the-table district-by-district kickbacks DeLeo handed out to convince enough of our state legislators to change their votes...)

Yes, the state needs to seek revenue streams that can appropriately sustain itself, but the amount of bloat and inefficiency in this state government as it currently stands is blatantly apparent to anyone who reads the news. Our state legislators owe it to us to take every measure possible to ensure an efficiently-run government with sensible priorities before it comes to us asking for more money. It seems to me that, with this bill, they are taking the easy way out rather than tackling the tough fiscal problems that Massachusetts is currently facing.

deval patrick is a moron. every one should help pay the debt not just the poeple who drive....the cuts should come form the top down. we should start by cutting governement perks and not start screwing the tax payers again and again

The raging ego of DeLeo has triumphed at the expense of the Mass taxpayers; I guess he's shown us all who's boss!

At least now, -- gas won't cost more for my tax-dodging drives to New Hampshire...

I voted yes on 1... now I'm going to have to shop in NH because of you lemmings.

What is wrong with taxachusetts? This is a perfect example of why I chose to leave the state. We are in an economic crisis, and instead of cutting spending, which is how we as a family are dealing with our financial problems, the state of Massachusetts decides to increase taxes. They're always increasing the sin taxes on booze and cigarettes, which disproportionately effect the poor, and instead of showing fiscal restraint, they want to keep spending.
Why don't you people just hand your paychecks to the state every month, and tell them to give you back what they can't use. Eventually they get it all anyway. What a socialist nightmare!

Things are not as they appear. Mr. Patrick will make it appear he is on the side of the taxpayer, by vetoing the tax increase and the legislature will override it. What the Globe won't tell you is that he has secretly agreed to finance some legislators pet project, such as approving financing for sme particular town to hire two more of this particular legislators in laws as police officers and we all know what happens when you have more police on the street, right? That's right. Crimne goes UP, not down, thus creating demand for even more police, thus justifying the tax increase, because we NEED these "services, right? The more things change.....

Raising the sales tax is like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound. The legislature should be looking at new sources of income, perhaps a cannabis tax?

This just proves once again it's the Speaker Of The House who makes the final decisions not the Govenor. Vote DeLeo's way or lose those chairmanship positions with the extra money that comes with them or ever have a shot at getting one. Isn't it ironic first we have.
DeVal who would like to run the state but in actuality it;s
DeLeo who is calling the shots.
De=Destruction for the Massachusetts taxpayers.

Towns along the NH border (even more so then the rest of the state) need to wake up and elect Republicans to State Office. And if any Republican voted for this tax hike, they need to be first kicked out of the party; then replaced in the current election (in the primaries, preferably).

This crushed retail business in Northern Mass. Between the people out West with the unfair toll burden and the NH border towns, we can start to slowly take back MA and instill fiscal responsibility.

It's truly time to get rid of these pompous democrates who tax, tax and tax some more. Stop spending, like we have had to do! Wake up you arrogrant people. If things don't change many more will not only be going to NH to buy products, but maybe its time to just leave this state, if people are not going to vote these spend hogs out of office, then maybe it is time to leave as so many businesses have since I can remember starting from the 60's.

No more money to waste and spend foolishly, or to give away to all our buddies? Simple! Just raise taxes on all the unemployed. Might as well start taxing the other luxury items too, like clothes and food! Just need to figure out how to tax breathable air and water too!

Taxachusetts!!!! I have always gone to N.H. to purchase big items and now I'll go for the small as well. Way to go beacon hill... you'll be losing money and giving it to N.H.! ( I'm saving$$ so I can move from this moronic run state!!!)

Wow, I have to leave this state.

Come on Matt, couldn't you have included a link in this article to a listing of who voted how? (That's the power of the internet - use it to enhance the useability and impact of your stories!) I'm sure I am not alone in wanting to know whether my state rep voted to pass this bill. And if they did, and this bill passes the Senate as well, unless my local pols are running against hardline conservatives in the next election, I'm voting against them. Cut the D^%$ budget and be done with it. I don't mind paying my fair share of taxes, but in this state, we have been told lie after lie about temporary tax hikes here and there. It's one thing to suck it up in a good economy - but many people are struggling to hang on right now. Raising the sales tax is going to hurt local businesses, and that in turn is going to add to the unemployment lines, growing the pool of people who will need more state services and who will be hurt by having to pay more for the things they buy. No tax hikes - not this year. Enough is enough. Instead of a "tea party," how about a one-day shop only in N.H. tax protest?

I currently live in MA...and will be going to NH for pretty much everything since I live 10 minutes away from it. I am also looking to move to NH or some other state that isn't MA....

BANG THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO SELL GOODS EVEN MORE. IF SALES ARE DOWN NOW BY MORE THAN 20% WHAT WILL THIS DO ???

Great idea. Why reform our state spending? When all you have to do is raise taxes. Way to go House! Keep the corrupt well paid and put us in the poor house quicker. It's a two for one.

typical politicians not in touch with the people - fat dumb and happy. wouldn't it be nice if we could just make more salary, when we got in trouble. no, we have to cut expenses. why no public outcry?

The vote to increase the sales tax shows very poor judgement on behalf of the Massachusetts Legislature. During these difficult economic times the good citizens of Massachusetts need support from our Legislature and assurance they will make the hard choices to cut the budget.....Raising Taxes was the easy way out for the Legisators and a knife in the back of the citizens. . .

Are 108 House Lawmakers on CRACK. Oh wait a minute, that's right they make well into six figure saleries while "we the people" of Mass. only make mid to low five figure saleries and struggle to buy a carton of milk because the economy is in the dumpster. Thanks so much for making our lives THAT MUCH HARDER!

Let's see people are unemployed, losing their houses and those who have jobs are subject to pay cuts or layoffs. Hmmm lets raise taxes thats makes sense. WRONG!!!! Perphaps maybe if a toll collector was not making 70,000.00 + even now when more and more people are signing up for an ezpass account. So what are these people there for? Too look pretty or something. What about those on Beacon hill don't see them taking a paycut. So it other words lets stick it to the people of Massachusetts instead. Sad just sad

I don't usually agree with anything the Gov. does but, he was right on the money about vetoing this bill. We have people out of work, the highest unemployment in decades and this idiot wants to increase taxes? Its not the fault of the taxpayers the individuals we have in office don't spend money properly but we're the ones always stuck having to pay the consequences. I'll definitely be spending my money in other states. Screw MA.

It's DeLeo who calls the shots on Beacon Hill not Deval. Anything that comes down to a vote Democrats vote the way Deleo wants or forget about a chaimanship position or vice chair. Those positions pay an extra $7,500 on up a year.plus all the political clout that comes with them. The old boss Sal D. stepped down and the new boss Robert D. stepped right in. Same game different name.

the state tax should not go up, we pay to much already! if you have to make cuts so be it! Boston is a small city and everything is going up! The MBTA is so expensive everybody is riding bikes! The MBTA dosent make far trips because everything is very close! why should they charge almost $2.00 for a bus ride of a few stops! this state is a mess because we have a bunch of idiots running it! if the state cant afford the program cut it! thats it! at some point in life the program dident excist! so if you have to cut it, then cut it but dont take from peoples pockets! your taking to much already!

man how much more can this state tax us and we let them get away with it, we need to vote all of them out hear me show them write to them tell them we are going to fire them tell them enough is enough learn how to budget like we are forced to do, well i am moving for sure to new hampshire cant take these jerks any more saturday i am going apartment hunting in n.h. if you were smart follow me there and job tranfer there as well . oh and the blooger reading this are you for this or against this hike

WAKE UP
Meals taxes are much higher in all of the surrounding states. NH is 8 percent, Vermont is 9 percent. We are idiots to raise the sales taxes which put the burden on the residents. Meals taxes will be paid in a large part by the tourist and business travelers. Look at what you pay to other states when you travel.

IF (big if) taxes have to go up it is the meals tax only with local option dedicated to reduce property tax should be used instead of any other tax.(People don’t have the incentive to go out of state like they would if a sales tax were increased.)