Challenging Times Call for Thoughtful Measures

For centuries, our state and local governments have been responsible to our communities for the creation and upkeep of our public structures. This has made us a competitive state, across our region and our nation.

Now, the combined effects of an era of tax cuts in Massachusetts and a suffering federal fiscal climate are limiting our ability to fulfill those responsibilities, and to ensure a healthy, vibrant state to all who live here.

This challenging time calls for wise and thoughtful measures. Our Governor, Legislature, and local governments have a difficult set of decisions to make in order to support our public structures. Just this weekend, a state sales tax increase went into effect, and a new set of revenue reforms - both increases and cuts - are already being discussed for the fall.

It is time that we, as a community, have some serious conversations about we value in our communities and how we should pay for it as ONE Massachusetts. If you have ideas about our best options as a state, and are interested in having a statewide discussion, please contact ONE Massachusetts today!

[Below the Fold: Revenue Reform Options]

Upcoming:

• Revenue Reform. Would you like an opportunity to weigh in on how we should support our state and local communities? There are many ways to fund our public structures, including cuts and additional revenue. Though the legislature has made increases to some revenues, including the sales tax, these were not enough to close our structural gap. Options for the fall session, being discussed by Legislative Leadership, include slots and destination casinos.
  
  Representative Jay Kaufman and Senator Ben Downing, Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Revenue want to hear how you would do it! 


  
  Join them at a series of events across Massachusetts, to be launched in Pittsfield early this October, to discuss the current state fiscal crisis and the fiscal options moving forward. Locations and dates to be determined... stay tuned!
  
  In order to encourage more lively and informed discussions, ONE Massachusetts will be hosting training events in each of the listening tour communities to educate members of the community about our different progressive revenue options. Stay tuned for more information about these trainings.

Revenues in the News This Week:

• Casinos. Attorney General Martha Coakley unveiled legislation Monday designed to help police and investigators crack down on crimes associated with casino gambling - from money laundering to loan sharking. The bill is intended to establish some of the legal groundwork needed as lawmakers weigh whether to expand gaming in Massachusetts, either in the form of slot machines or casinos, to boost needed revenues. [WBUR]

  
  
• Sales Tax. A proposal that passed unanimously at a recent Green-Rainbow Party (GRP) State Committee meeting noted that when all taxes and fees are considered, lower income residents of Massachusetts already pay at a rate almost twice as high as the highest income brackets. The proposal suggested that rather than enacting tax measures [like sales tax] to make the system even more unfair, the Legislature should "adequately fund important state services by instituting revenue-enhancing tax measures that increase the fairness of our tax system." [Arlington Advocate - WL]
  
  
• Liquor Tax. As package stores mount a ballot push to repeal a sales tax on alcohol set to take effect Saturday, advocates for people with addiction to drugs or alcohol say such a move would only exacerbate substance abuse issues in Massachusetts. Package store owners are launching a ballot campaign to repeal the new 6.25 percent sales tax on alcohol, which is set to begin Saturday. [Boston Herald]

  
  
• Stimulus Effects. From schools to roads to arts, federal funds are coming to communities north of Boston. Massachusetts is due to receive $8.7 billion in federal stimulus money over the next two years. Some money already has been used to help communities maintain critical funding, such as for public education. Other money will be used to help jump-start the economy by relaxing restrictions on small business loans. Funds also are available to support renewal energy, helping sustain the economy long-term. [Boston Globe]