A group of more than 50 economists will voice their support Monday for Governor Deval Patrick’s plan to increase Massachusetts’s income tax, saying that chronic underfunding of the state’s education and transportation systems has threatened future prosperity.
“We believe there needs to be a significant increase in investment to make sure we remain economically competitive,” said Barry Bluestone, director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University, one of the 57 economists who signed the statement backing the governor’s plan.
Comments
"Barry Bluestone, director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University"
Now there is a source and quote I really trust supporting Deville Deval's tax plan, its just makes me tingle with confidence. Why is it every time they want to tax us into the stone age they say its for the childrens education ? How about reforms and cuts before they go after the last few bucks left in our pockets ? Maybe Deville could lobby to have the billions in federal funds going to other countries trimmed a little to support our countrys needs, that might inspre a little moe confidence.
Now how about the other 56 who signed? Either you think any taxes are bad or you are in the 6 figure plus category of income earners. If you make less than that you either pay no more or less taxes. Deductions under the proposed changes by the Governor are doubled, going from $4400 to $8800, and more importantly the sales tax is reduced from 6.25% to 4.5%. Check your yearly credit card bill for taxable items and maybe you might come to a different conclusion. No one is trying to build the streets out of gold, but keeping the roads pothole free, bridges in repair, sound education, and maintaing proper levels of public transportation all translate into higher income by improving business opportunities. Instead of a knee jerk reaction to raising taxes, first figure out if it means an increase for you or not. Those who pay more have benefitted most from government programs, not by less taxes, but by maintaining critical elements to maintain success.
Barry Bluestone is a proffesor at a college that charges it's students 55K for 5 years.
The problem is not chronic underfunding...but chronic bloating by hacks and thugs.
The problem is both. Bring in outside auditors to get rid of the graft, but raise the income tax and lower the sales tax too. People making more should pay more--the sales tax falls too heavily on the poor. And our transportation system is falling apart without decent funding.
Who says I "want more"? If anything, I want less when it comes to the government and taxes. Where does this cycle end? We can wish for the best schools, the best roads, the best of everything - but that does not mean that we can afford it. It's time for the Governor to realize that a "budget" is not a wish list - it is a means to provide ESSENTIAL services within a set level of revenue. Everytime he has a dream, he goes back to the piggy-bank, and suddenly we as individuals have less money left to provide essentials in our own homes. Let the Governor identift specific transportation projects, and fund them through bond issues or other plans that do not create never-ending revenue flows. Why should we pay increased income taxes in perpetuity to fund his dream highway program?
The headline should read "Liberal economists...". Poor management and various degrees of fraud consume millions in waste. Those actions serve to undermine the credibility of government and give rise to those who do not want a strong role for government. The governor should first work to regain the trust of the taxpayer before asking to pump even more money into a broken fiscal and management system.
Why do my tax dollars have to go to a 1.8 billion dollar train to New bedford. I am all for fixing what we have. Adding money to education but let's trim the waste first and let's face it, the south coast rail is just a way for the legislatures and governor to give their friends high paying jobs. Cut the South coast rail completely and you will save the 12 milion dollars a year right now we are paying right now. $12 million buys alot of books. governor honor your campaign pledge. NO New Taxes
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Shocking news: a liberal economist from something called the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy supports a giant increase in the income tax. How well I recall the "temporary" Dukakis income tax hike of 1989, followed by another increase in 1990. Just wondering why Northeastern University would name a Policy Center after someone who created the "Massachusetts Mess" while running for president on the Massachusetts Miracle?
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These economists are not credible and did not once mention the enormous sums wasted due to incompetence, mismanagement, fraud and waste by the State. There is enough mispending to fund everything and then sum. EIn fact we could lower tax rate to 5%.
If the economists were credible, the Globe wouldn't quote them.
Thanks for the reminder rsox. So the professors are teaching "our kids" that it's OK to ignore the voters on a ballot question to rollback the rate to 5% -- not to mention lying about taxes being temporary. Hey kids, wait til you are working and paying the higher income tax rate while paying off your student loans, much of which were wasted because your economics teachers are clueless.
It would be nice to see a cost/benefit analysis. A real one -not a hide the peanut shell game of government budgeting
Wouldn't it be refreshing to have real leaders for a change. I imagine somewhere in a dream that a leader comes forth with worthwhile programs funded through reductions in government redundancies, waste, fraud and mismangement.
Here's an idea to raise additional $$$ from those that think that taxes should increase.....
Have them VOLUNTARILY pay additional $$$ to the state, when they do/pay their taxes in April. That way, those who feel that they can afford/justify paying more taxes, can do so without putting an additional burden on those of us who do not want more $$$ taken out of our pockets during these trying times.
Or lets impose a SPECIAL TAX on Economists Incomes, where they pay an additional 5% State Income Tax, since they seem to be able to afford it.
Tax public employee pensions. Teachers could fix funding problems themselves
The Boston Globe always finds economists who only support more government spending and more tax increases.