Reform before Revenue, Not Just a Meaningless Slogan

Today’s Boston Herald ran an editorial piece on a line you’re hearing a lot, reform before revenue.

And though some are painting it as a meaningless slogan, it is a reality that the Patrick Administration doesn’t want to admit. We’ve heard over and over that Republicans aren’t being honest with taxpayers, that raising taxes is the only way we can get out of this mess.

Not only is that fictitious, but it proves that Governor Patrick and those who support his gas tax increase proposal don’t want to do the hard work. While reform may not close the deficit gap 100%, it will certainly reduce the need for increased taxes and fees. The Governor’s Administration would like you to believe that all of your services will be cut if we don’t raise the gas tax and a host of other taxes and fees. We say lets enact some real reforms and when we’re done examining where every dollar is being spent, we cut the waste and see where the state is at. But in no way shape or form, should increasing taxes always be painted as the only solution, because it is not and if your lawmaker says it is, he or she is simply not being honest.

Reform before revenue is certainly catchy, but it’s also the only way to get this state moving in the right direction economically again. We can’t keep pouring money into a broken system. For years, we’ve been footing the bill for mistakes made in the past and lack of action. We can’t change the past, but we do have the power to shape the future. Overhauling the transportation system will allow us to find the inefficiencies and solve current problems