This fall, Massachusetts residents will vote on the ability of their state government to remain effective. On the November ballot, voters will consider Question 1, which proposes the elimination of the state's income tax. While many families could use additional money in these tough economic times, Massachusetts residents must recognize that taxes pay for vital governmental programs. In order to preserve these services, we urge residents to vote no to Question 1 and keep the income tax intact.
If the measure is passed, state residents can expect to pocket $3,600 on average. However appealing this may seem, the inherent tradeoff must be considered.
Massachusetts relies on tax dollars to balance its budget, and the income tax accounts for 40 percent of the state's revenue. While some will undoubtedly walk into the polling stations wide-eyed from the potential to finally make ends meet, we urge them to realize that they money they "save" will likely leave their pockets through other taxes.
After all, the state can't just stand idly by as so much revenue gets yanked from its coffers. The states that do not have state income taxes, for example, tend to pay for governmental services through high property and sales taxes. So not only will one form of taxation largely cancel out the other, it will do so via a mechanism that places the burden disproportionately on the poor and vulnerable. As Massachusetts continues to strive for economic equality, is it really worth it to save a few dollars by passing off the responsibility to those least able to handle it?
Taxes help pay for quality education, universal healthcare and reliable public transportation. Additionally, cities and towns receive substantial funding from the state government. Somerville, for one, received 33 percent of its budget from the state this fiscal year, and its officials predict an "adverse impact" on local governments if the measure is passed. To start with, much of the money that is used to pay police officers and firefighters would simply disappear.
The proposal's proponents claim that the loss of income tax revenue will not affect crucial services, as the government can eliminate wasteful spending. While the Massachusetts budget certainly does contain unwise expenditures, that's not a reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
According to local officials, even the elimination of all of the government's programs that could be considered wasteful will still leave the state budget with a revenue gap. That's where the other forms of taxation come into play.
Too many politicians have been afraid to call taxes necessary. Conservative politicians and advocacy groups often promise to reduce taxes and rein in government spending. These conservative leaders have played the pain of paying taxes for cheap political points. We applaud Gov. Deval Patrick for refusing to succumb to these political games and for fighting for responsible taxation. Too often, politicians cave and reduce taxes while continuing to pay for vital government programs. The result of this political cowardice is almost always the crippling state debts that leave future generations to pay for the present's irresponsibility.
Paying taxes is an unpleasant aspect of life, but it is also an inevitable one. It is reckless for the citizens of Massachusetts to pretend otherwise.
