Patrick's Budget: Can State Afford It Right Now?

The governor's budget proposal for fiscal 2014 would raise $1.9 billion in new revenues through a combination of tax increases and eliminating some tax breaks. Is the state's economy ready for this?

After years of treading water in the state budget, Gov. Deval Patrick has put forth an ambitious $34.8 billion proposal for the coming fiscal year that would make significant investments in education and transportation by raising $1.9 billion in revenue, through a combination of tax increases and eliminating some tax breaks. The question: Is the state's economy ready for this? To raise that funding, Patrick's proposal would increase the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent, while doubling personal exemptions. It'd also lower the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. Several tax breaks for both personal income and businesses would be eliminated. The gas tax would be indexed to inflation, ensuring gradual increases in what …

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Patrick: We Need to Increase Income Tax to Invest in Our Future

Tell us: do you think we need to increase taxes to strengthen education and transportation?

In his State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday night, Gov. Deval Patrick proposed raising the state's income tax by 1 percentage point and lowering the sales tax to pay for $2 billion in transportation improvements and early childhood education programs.  "There is no good time to raise taxes. I know how tough the times have been on the people and families of the Commonwealth. And though the worst of the recession is over, many, many families still face tough decisions and have deep anxiety about the future. I would not ask if I did not believe in my heart that investing meaningfully today in education and transportation will significantly improve our economic tomorrows," Patrick said. Patrick said he wanted a more fair and …

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Southpaw

2:22 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013

President? I shudder the thought. Can't imagine anyone would vote for this jack a**. I will pray he can't even make it to the ballot. Would love to punch that smirk off his face....that he wears all the time.   more ›

Superagenda

Massachusetts' Infinite Sales Tax Holiday

Welcome to the Superagenda.

Hello Westford! Welcome to the Superagenda, your source for local political and government news today in and around Westford. If you have any local or political news, please let us know at westford@patch.com #1. Local Government Meetings Today: Today there are three meetings at 7:00 tonight: the Board of Health at Town Hall, the Energy Committee at the Police Station and the Library Trustees at the J.V Fletcher Library. The School Committee will be meeting in the Millennium Building tonight at 7:30. #2. Today on Beacon Hill: There’s an informal house session today at 11:00 a.m in the House Chambers. #3.  Local Law of the Day: With all the talk of Massachusetts’ Sales Tax holiday, we have a peculiar twist to the Sales Tax one can find when …

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