Is Voters' Message on Importance of Taxes Being Ignored?

While Tuesday's media spotlight was clearly on the national stage, Massachusetts voters demonstrated extraordinary participation on issues hitting closer to home. Voters across the state demonstrated the importance of the income tax by overwhelmingly voting NO on Question 1, defeating this dangerous ballot question.

What do the people of Massachusetts need to do to demonstrate that they: are truly ready to fight for their communities, and understand
the responsibilities of doing so?

Voting Results

The ballot question to eliminate our income tax was defeated in every town statewide, with 'No' percentages as high as 91.2% (Leverett, MA), and over half of the towns voting over 65% 'No.' 

70% of voters statewide voted No.

Media Coverage and Analysis

Despite the clear defeat of the repeal of the state income tax, the analysis by media and public officials is muddled:

The fact is that Question 1 threatened the state’s ability to provide basic services, including local aid. The prospect of trading the income
tax for a huge boost in the property tax was - not surprisingly - less than appealing for the state’s voters.

That fact and the united front presented by business and labor helped good sense prevail.
[Common Sense on Taxes by Boston Herad Editorial Staff]

In recent months, Question 1 was an elephant in the room at the State House, discouraging talk of increasing taxes or fees for fear of fueling antitax sentiment, political observers said. Meanwhile, Patrick and lawmakers have spent the last few weeks trying to close an estimated $1.4 billion deficit in the current fiscal year - through a mix of cuts, financial transfers, and other measures - and will soon dig into the fiscal 2010 budget as well.

"The results of Question 1 sent a loud and clear message to us that, number one, there is economic anxiety and frustration out there," said Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos, chairman of the Senate's Ways and Means Committee. "I see it as a mandate to live within our means." [Hearing message from voters, lawmakers spurn talk of a tax hike by Eric Moskowitz, Boston Globe]