Views on Question 1 varied by political party and education. Democrats opposed the idea 74 percent to 14 percent, as did independent voters by a margin of 70 percent to 22 percent. Republicans favored eliminating the state income tax 42 percent to 36 percent. Of voters with a high school education or less, 41 percent favored Question 1 and 45 percent opposed it. Respondents with at least some college opposed Question 1, 59 percent to 25 percent. College graduates opposed it 70 percent to 19 percent.
.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation prepared a 28 page report explaining the impact of repealing the state income tax and included a comparison of states without income taxes that is helpful for those who remain undecided (emphasis mine):
The average income tax payment for the 2.15 million taxpayers with incomes below $50,000 is less than $850. Filers with incomes below $10,000, comprising 21 percent, pay $53; another 20 percent with incomes between $10,000 and $25,000 pay $577; the 24 percent with incomes from $25,000 to $50,000 pay $1,773.
.
In contrast, tax filers with incomes in excess of $100,000 pay an average of $16,295, nearly 20 times more per filer than the 65 percent of taxpayers who have incomes less than $50,000. The 14 percent of filers with incomes greater than $100,000 pay nearly 63 percent of all state income taxes. Clearly, a small fraction of wealthier taxpayers would receive the greatest cuts from passage of Question 1, a fact that is clouded by the average tax figures used by proponents.
.
In contrast, tax filers with incomes in excess of $100,000 pay an average of $16,295, nearly 20 times more per filer than the 65 percent of taxpayers who have incomes less than $50,000. The 14 percent of filers with incomes greater than $100,000 pay nearly 63 percent of all state income taxes. Clearly, a small fraction of wealthier taxpayers would receive the greatest cuts from passage of Question 1, a fact that is clouded by the average tax figures used by proponents.
.
Page 24 includes MIDDLEBOROUGH's non-education local aid for FY 2008 - 3,608,172 after the 71.1% cut - 1,042,762. Where will Middleborough cut + $2.5 Million?
.
The report also includes a breakdown of funding by state agency which is helpful in determining where those tax dollars are being spent. While some have allowed themselves to become convinced that ALL taxes are evil, they ignore that important services are provided that would be slashed without a progressive income tax.
.
The Middleboro Gazette (still only 50 cents) printed a letter to the editor written by Brian Fitzgerald that makes valid points in refuting a repeal. If you want to eliminate 'waste,' get involved, review the state budget and work for change, but do so armed with the facts.
.
Vote No on Question 1.
2 comments:
A friend who knew I was going to vote for 1 sent me your blog and made me red the report. I dont pay $3500 in taxes but didnt understand that I was giving money to the wealthy.
I don't see how we can funtion with the cuts in the MTF report. How can we cut $2 million in Midleboro? This helped me understad.
IMO, if the income tax is repealed, not only will the State get it all back AND THEN SOME, aid will be all but eliminated.
The State will be rolling in the dough more than they do now.
And the best part is, they will smile at us while telling us that this is what we wanted.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who may be undecided on this issue that there are other states which do not have a state income tax.
Here, I will use Florida for an example. There is something like an 8% sales tax ON EVERYTHING.
Tolls are so rampant that if you get on a major highway heading in the wrong direction, it will cost $2.50 to get turned aroung the right way.
We really don't have it that bad.
Elimination of the income tax will put the burden on homeowners and the middle class. Not what we need
anytime, especially now.
Don't fall for the hype. Vote NO on question 1.
Post a Comment