The following column by
State Representative Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk) appeared in the February 4 print
edition of the Boston Globe's West section in response to the
question “Should any increases in major state taxes be on the table instate budget talks for next year?”:
In an ordinary year, increasing the
taxes of the hard working men and women of Massachusetts should only be on the
table after all other options are exhausted. But as we all know, it is not an
ordinary year and raising taxes should definitely be off the table for this
year’s budget debate.
The reality is that the world has
changed dramatically over the past year and fiscal year 2019 is on track to
follow course. The new federal tax plan that was passed last month creates a
tremendous amount of uncertainty for many of our fellow citizens and has the
potential to have a negative impact on the Massachusetts economy. Fortunately,
it appears the benefits might minimize these negatives but at this moment it is
too early to tell.
The creation of the $10,000 cap for
state and local tax deductions in the new federal law is going to send
shockwaves through our state. If we couple this with the proposed additional 4
percent tax on earnings above $1 million — the subject of a state ballot
question this fall — and our punitive death tax, Massachusetts is poised to be
a costly state for taxpayers. To add additional tax increases onto this already
excessive structure would be pure folly.
While the Commonwealth is
anticipating increased revenue collections, we must still remain vigilant in
weeding out waste and abuse. As legislators, we need to make the tough choices
to streamline programs and ensure that we spend our neighbors’ hard earned
money efficiently.
Having a foolhardy approach toward
spending, justified by a tax increase, only sets the groundwork for disaster
when the economy eventually adjusts.
Massachusetts is a wonderful place
to live; but if we are not fiscally prudent, it will simply become too
expensive to raise a family or run a business here. New Hampshire is already
trying to poach our current and future businesses by touting their low taxes
and inexpensive cost of living. If we vote to raise taxes this year, it will
send the message that Massachusetts is not “open for business;” and instead we
are embracing the old “Taxachusetts” moniker.
