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Take My Governor, Please!
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by harringtola | May 1, 2009 at 05:53 am
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Speculation that Governor Deval Patrick could wind up in a Barack Obama presidential administration has been rife, and lately political and legal observers are pointing to the Supreme Court as a potential destination for the Harvard Law grad and former Justice Department official.
For all that he has not done and all that he has tried to do and seemingly failed, my request is for someone to "Take my governor, Please". However I am not sure I consider him qualified for Supreme Court Justice.
The Massachusetts economic woes have not been addressed even minimally. None of his proposals, and there have been very few, have gotten the support they needed, from the public or the legislators, to be implemented. I am referring to the infamouse GAS TAX proposal and in state Casinos to name a few. In March of 2008
Gov. Deval Patrick has received mixed reviews on his plans to bring casino gambling to Massachusetts.
House Speaker Sal Dimasi sharply rebuked Patrick this week for peddling inflated estimates of the construction jobs casinos would generate.
Now that the legislature has a proposal of their own that is on it's way to passing he says he will veto it.
By a 108 to 51 vote, lawmakers approved the proposal by Democratic leaders, including Speaker Robert DeLeo, to increase the tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, enough to raise an additional $900 million annually.
Just as the House began debate, Patrick, a Democrat, sent lawmakers a letter threatening the veto unless they first approved a series of reform measures.
A big vote is expected Monday on boosting the sales tax in Massachusetts.
House lawmakers will debate whether to raise the rate from 5 percent to 6.25 percent.
But the plan does not include any other tax increases.
The governor's proposed tax hikes are not included.
No gas tax increase.
No tax on candy and soda.
The house plan will not allow cities and towns to raise their own taxes
House leaders spent much of the day rounding up enough votes to override any veto. Two-thirds, or about 107 votes, are required.
Supporters say the money is needed to help avoid some of the harshest budget cuts as the state grapples with plunging tax collections.
As a citizen of Massachusetts I would love to see the state move forward with some plan to increase revenues. New Hampshire is sales tax free, true enough, but other bordering and New England states are not and already exceed Massachusetts at 5%. Vermont and Connecticut are 6% while Rhode Island is 7%. Additionally, food, clothing, prescriptions and other necessities are exempt in Massachusetts and not exempt in all of these neighboring states. Additionally local town taxes are allowed in a few of these states, like Vermont, and raise the taxes even higher.
I think that overall, when evaluated and analyzed objectively, the suggested sales tax increase is no worse and actually less burdensome on the economy than a gas tax. It would be a step forward to some type of change and relieve what appears to be a paralyzed Massachusetts decision process.
As much as I would like to see our state move forward, still I am not sure I want to unleash Gov. Patrick on the rest of the country.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (1)
at 09:17 on May 1st, 2009
good piece, he doesn't sound very qualified.