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State must live within its means Sunday, May 4, 2003

Frank J. Genova Metrowest Daily News

There appears to be sentiment among some of our elected officials about finding more revenue via additional taxes. This is mind boggling when one considers that we are now taxed more than any community should be.
According to the Taxpayers Foundation, in an editorial published in the Boston Herald on April 22, "The Bay State has the nation's second heaviest total tax burden at $13,887 per capita". In addition, it is important to remember that we have the dubious distinction of having the fastest rising housing costs in the nation, the third highest cost of housing nationally and the third highest cost of living index.
The recent $7.1 million Framingham override along with the $1.2 billion tax increase passed by the state legislature last year have many Framingham residents in a fighting mood. It's more than a rumor that there will be a newly formed Framingham Taxpayer's Association ready to raise money and do battle with those that want to raise taxes.
Business as usual cannot continue, some state departments and functions need to be merged or eliminated. The Quinn Bill and the Pacheco Law are wasteful and produce nothing in return for money expended.
This week on a radio talk show a teacher called in to mention that she was using her own money to buy supplies for her class. The talk show host mentioned to her, that "the Massachusetts Teachers Association is flooding the airways with ads for more taxes. The $2 million they are spending on ads could buy a lot of pencils and supplies."
Another article printed in the Boston Herald stated that "The state's Education Reform Law, which has poured billions of additional dollars into the state's schools, has failed to boost test scores, according to an analysis by a conservative Boston think tank.."
The state and the town must do what every citizen has to do, which is to live within one's means. Retiree's cannot go to the Social Security Administration and ask for more money because their taxes were increased. The young couple barely making it in Framingham can't go to their bosses and demand a raise because the town just passed another override.
Every dollar of tax increase imposed upon us is a dollar less that we have to spend for food clothing and shelter.

State must live within its means	Sunday, May 4, 2003
Frank J. Genova	Metrowest Daily News
There appears to be sentiment among some of our elected officials about finding more revenue via additional taxes. This is mind boggling when one considers that we are now taxed more than any community should be. According to the Taxpayers Foundation, in an editorial published in the Boston Herald on April 22, "The Bay State has the nation's second heaviest total tax burden at $13,887 per capita". In addition, it is important to remember that we have the dubious distinction of having the fastest rising housing costs in the nation, the third highest cost of housing nationally and the third highest cost of living index. The recent $7.1 million Framingham override along with the $1.2 billion tax increase passed by the state legislature last year have many Framingham residents in a fighting mood. It's more than a rumor that there will be a newly formed Framingham Taxpayer's Association ready to raise money and do battle with those that want to raise taxes. Business as usual cannot continue, some state departments and functions need to be merged or eliminated. The Quinn Bill and the Pacheco Law are wasteful and produce nothing in return for money expended. This week on a radio talk show a teacher called in to mention that she was using her own money to buy supplies for her class. The talk show host mentioned to her, that "the Massachusetts Teachers Association is flooding the airways with ads for more taxes. The $2 million they are spending on ads could buy a lot of pencils and supplies." Another article printed in the Boston Herald stated that "The state's Education Reform Law, which has poured billions of additional dollars into the state's schools, has failed to boost test scores, according to an analysis by a conservative Boston think tank.." The state and the town must do what every citizen has to do, which is to live within one's means. Retiree's cannot go to the Social Security Administration and ask for more money because their taxes were increased. The young couple barely making it in Framingham can't go to their bosses and demand a raise because the town just passed another override. Every dollar of tax increase imposed upon us is a dollar less that we have to spend for food clothing and shelter.

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Every tax is a pay cut. Every tax cut is a pay raise.
Citizens for Limited Taxation