"Just like many of us are feeling an economic pinch individually during these tough times, our cities and towns across the Commonwealth are also feeling the similar effects of the poor economy," said BDTC Chairman Kevin Bligh. "And a community like Bridgewater knows this better than most. To repeal the income tax at this time would simply be the poorest form of economic policy the state will ever have faced."
(From the Coalition for our Communities)
The income tax question on the ballot this fall is a reckless proposal that will have severe and immediate consequences for all of us. This binding referendum will take $12.7 billion—nearly 40 percent—out of the state budget, driving up local property taxes and leading to drastic cuts in services. Our communities will suffer sweeping education cuts, steep reductions in public safety personnel and further deterioration of roads and bridges. Times are hard enough. Let’s not make them worse.
Here is what we know
- The income tax proposal will cost the Commonwealth $12.7 billion in revenues
- That’s 40 percent of the state budget
- This is a binding proposal that will become law effective January 1, 2009
This reckless proposal will:
- Drive up local property taxes
- Have dire consequences for our communities, putting:
- Education at risk with:
- Larger class sizes
- Fewer afterschool programs
- More school closings
- Health care at risk for:
- Seniors
- Working families
- People with disabilities
- Public safety at risk with:
- Fewer emergency response personnel
- Longer 911 wait times
- Fewer police officers and firefighters
- Our infrastructure at risk with:
- Unsafe bridges
- Broken roads and more potholes
- Cuts in service to public transportation
- Education at risk with:
- Put our fragile economy and job market at even greater risk
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