Mass. Tax Plans: Too Much, Too Soon? Or Too Little, Too Slow?

Should the state forge ahead with Gov. Deval Patrick's bold plan to invest now? Or should it follow the Legislature leadership's proposal to address the bottom line before embarking on bigger initiatives?

Massachusetts legislators this week answered Gov. Deval Patrick's ambitious plan to raise $1.9 billion for transportation and education with a $500 million plan of their own, which says the governor is asking for too much, too soon as the Bay State shakes off the effects of the Great Recession. Who's right? Should the state forge ahead in a bold plan to invest now? Or should it cautiously address the bottom line before embarking on bigger initiatives? While Patrick's plan includes funding for both the state transportation system and increased education funding from preschool through college, House and Senate lawmakers eschew new revenue for education, focusing solely on closing the transportation budget gap over the next five years. The …

•  105 Comments
• Photos (1)

Andrew Sylvia

9:26 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Bottom left of the page under "About Patch"   more ›

5 Things to Know Today

Five Things: Public Hearing on Tax Rate Tonight

What Medford should know today, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012.

Here are five things to know today, Tuesday, Dec. 18: 1. And the rain rain rain came down down down. Rain and possibly a thunderstorm today in Medford. Areas of fog. High near 57. Northeast wind 6 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Tonight, showers likely, mainly before 2 a.m.. Patchy fog before 1 a.m.. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 6 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. 2. Tax rate public hearing tonight. The Medford City Council will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. to hear from the Board of Assessors on the various factors and possible exemptions that will determine …

• Photos (1)

Amazon.com Will Collect State Sales Tax in 2013

The Internet retailer said the collection would begin in time for next year's holiday shopping season.

Checking out at Amazon.com will be a little pricier starting next November. Gov. Deval Patrick's office announced the deal Tuesday, stating the company would be adding jobs to Massachusetts in the next few years, WBZ reported. Amazon.com and Patrick said they would work together to support a federal bill allowing individual states to collect sales tax in states where they have no physical location. "I value the contributions large and small employers alike make to Massachusetts' economic vitality, and this agreement captures that," said Patrick, in a statement. "We are thankful Amazon was willing to come to the table and we will continue our conversations with them about creating jobs here. This agreement is a win for all sides, and I am …

• Photos (1)

5 Things to Know Today

Five Things: City Council to Tackle Tax Rates

What Medford should know today, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Here are five things to know today, Tuesday, Dec. 11: 1. Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face. A slight chance of showers before 8 a.m. today in Medford and mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny with a high near 48, according to the National Weather Service. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight, mostly clear with a low around 26. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. 2. Tax rates on the table. The Medford City Council meets tonight at 6 p.m. in the Council Office at City Hall to discuss the allocation of Fiscal 2013 Property Tax and an order on the tax rate of non-residential ownership properties. 3. Free skate at LoConte Rink. Free admission public skating is open today and every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the newly renovated …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

The Fiscal Cliff: What Deal Would You Cut?

Massachusetts Democrats in Congress want to avoid cuts in benefits as part of any deal, but proposals such as raising the eligibility age for Medicare are still on the table. What would you do?

As Congress negotiates a deal to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" on Jan. 1, Massachusetts' congressional representatives have voiced their opposition to any cuts in benefits such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the Boston Globe reports. However, there are proposals still on the table that would change those benefit programs, including linking Social Security benefits to a more conservative inflation index that would slightly reduce annual increases, or raising the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67. The Globe reported that while the Bay State's legislators were united against changes to Social Security, there's some wiggle room on Medicare. Rep. Ed Markey opposes raising the Medicare eligibility age; Rep. Michael …

•  232 Comments
• Photos (1)

Some 60 People Attend ‘Conversation’ on Public Transportation's Future

Some offer complaints, kudos and ideas.

Remember the hue and cry early this year when the T proposed to cut road and rail service or raise rates for riders? Fares went up. So did ridership, across public transportation modes, according to Jonathan Davis, acting general manager and rail and transit administrator of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which is part of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). What do residents of the Commonwealth want in their public transportation system statewide? MassDOT, which oversees public transportation on roads, rails and tarmacs here, held a meeting at the McGlynn Middle School Tuesday night, part of a series of “conversations” statewide, to hear ideas about the transportation system people want and what the …

• Photos (1)

Letter: Cigarette Tax has Saved Lives and Health Care Costs

Brooke Hoyt of Medford Health Matters and Diane Knight of Northeast Tobacco Free Community Partnership write about how the quarter tax on cigarette packs has supported a decrease in tobacco use.

To the editor: In November 1992 voters from across the commonwealth took the courageous step of voting in favor of a referendum that would add a 25-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes sold in Massachusetts. This tax would be used to help current smokers get the resources to quit when they were ready to make that life-saving decision. Twenty years later, that quarter tax is responsible for a revolution that has saved lives, prevented youth from becoming addicted, and saved the commonwealth millions of dollars in health-care costs. Since the time of that vote, the state has seen a dramatic change in the way people think about tobacco. The change in perspective has directly resulted in the elimination of unattended sales to minors at vending …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Tax to Travel: How Would You Pay for Mass' Transportation System?

Gov. Deval Patrick plans to ask lawmakers to raises taxes to make up for the shortfall in Massachusetts' transportation system. What options should they consider and what's off the table?

Would you be willing to pay more at the pump, have a tracking system on your car that taxes you by the mile, or see tolls on state highways? Those are just some of the possibilities looming as Massachusetts looks to erase the state's transportation system's deficit. The Boston Globe reported that Gov. Deval Patrick will ask lawmakers to raise taxes in order to pay for a transportation system—from the MBTA to roads and bridges—that continues to operate in the red. The administration will present a specific proposal by Jan. 7. One option is raising the gas tax, a route Patrick sought in 2009 only to be rebuffed by the legislature. Patrick sought a 19 cent increase while business groups endorsed a 25 cent increase. Ultimately, the state …

•  197 Comments
• Photos (1)

Was Romney Right About the 47 Percent, or Will This Doom His Campaign?

Mother Jones released a video of Mitt Romney telling a private audience that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on the government and will never vote for him. Was this a ruinous gaffe, or has Romney told a hard political truth?

A secret video obtained by Mother Jones magazine has rocked the political world. In that video, Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney said 47 percent of Americans believe they are victims, are dependent on the government and will never vote for him. He went further, saying he wasn't worried about them. The magazine released a portion of the video Monday. In a late night press conference Monday, Romney said the comments were not "elegantly stated," but were part of a larger conversation about the role of personal responsibility. Romney went on to say the comments were a reflection on "the political process of winning an election, and, of course, I want to help all Americans—all Americans—have a bright and prosperous future." Mother …

•  365 Comments
• Videos (2)

See How Medford's Commercial Tax Base Compares to Communities Nearby

A look at the numbers.

Massachusetts lawmakers face a looming deadline to pass a state budget, with the fiscal year ending this Saturday, and while city and local officials watch to see the final local aid numbers for fiscal 2013, it's property taxes that fund the biggest chunk of most municipal budgets. And when it comes to the property tax base, Medford's commercial tax base is similar to many of its nearby neighbors, but it pales in comparison to the massive returns of Boston and Cambridge. According to data from the state Division of Local Services, commercial, industrial and personal property makes up 13 percent of Medford's overall property tax base. Among greater Boston communities, that's most similar to Malden, 14.6 percent, and Somerville, 15.4 percent…

• Photos (1)