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Greetings!
Adding It Up, a recent piece from WBUR's series on tax policy explores the many ways that we pay taxes - from the federal income tax to our smallest local surcharges:
![The Milkove family [wbur.org]](http://media.npr.org/assets/news/2010/09/07/milkove.jpg?t=1283879474&s=12) When it comes to taxes in the U.S., it's the income tax -- and the annual April 15 deadline for filing returns -- that gets most of our attention. But that's only part of the picture -- there are property taxes and sales taxes, even taxes built into every cell phone bill. In the name of documenting how much of a family's income goes to taxes, one couple in Connecticut agreed to open their books...
And while the article details an impressive of list of taxes paid by the Milkove family, the report is imbalanced. It's all just numbers! By the end of the process, all of the tax rates and cents charged have tallied up to make Harlan Milkove - and presumably, the reader - fiscally exhausted.
But how would Harlan and his family feel if all of those individual charges were balanced with a picture of where their tax dollars go?
![Community Overview [niehs.nih.gov]](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs037/1101662827233/img/300.jpg?a=1103646209819) Joined together with their friends and neighbors, their taxes go to build the healthy and safe communities that we all deserve. They provide our children with the opportunity to learn and build their own successful lives. Those educated children mean more safe and stable communities, and a stronger workforce that will bring in better jobs. They help build the transportation systems that enable us to get to jobs and the health systems that monitor and treat outbreaks of disease.
One of the stumbling blocks to healthy discussions on taxes is the lack of transparency and understanding in how our tax dollars translate to a thriving state. How is our revenue platform currently structured? What investments are we making in our state? Are they our best options? Where must changes be made?
We must continue to push for greater transparency in our government so that we, as a diverse statewide community, can have some real conversations about what we value in our state, and how those values are (or are not) being supported in a stable, balanced, and adequate manner.
If you or your organization are interested in hosting a free training, or for information on revenue reform and how you can lend your voice to help build better communities, please contact ONE Massachusetts today!
Sincerely,
Harmony Blakeway
Director of Operations, ONE Massachusetts
harmony@realclout.org | 617-999-846
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REVENUE
By 2013, a fair, adequate, and stable tax system will be implemented.
It will raise sufficient revenue so that state and local governments
can fund the array of services needed. |
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Ballot Questions
Sales tax rollback wins support of 54 percent in latest State House News Service poll
Here's a rare find: an issue on which all four candidates for governor - and three treasurer hopefuls - agree. Slashing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent is a very bad idea, they all say. And they're right.
What's scary is who is not part of this group hug: the public. A State House News Service poll this week found that 54 percent of voters surveyed favor the rollback. That's one whopping disconnect. [Full Article: Boston Globe]
By a 10-point margin, Massachusetts voters favor slicing the state sales tax from 6.25 percent to 3 percent, according to a State House News Service poll - a ballot referendum that would chop roughly $2.4 billion from Beacon Hill coffers and has drawn opposition from all four gubernatorial candidates...
![No on 1 Rally [hcfama.org]](http://hcfamass.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/noon1rally.jpg?w=500&h=375) Question 1 on whether to remove the sales tax from alcohol, a budget-balancing maneuver approved in 2009, would fail 38-60 percent if the vote were held tomorrow, the survey showed. Respondents rejected Question 2, asking about repeal of the state's "40B" law, which facilitates mixed used, affordable housing construction in communities with insufficient supplies of affordable units, by a 36-54 percent margin, with 10 percent undecided. [State House News Service]
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Education Funding
State education chief decries cuts in funding
 Massachusetts higher education commissioner Richard Freeland criticized state legislators yesterday for continuing to cut funding for public universities and colleges amid increased student demand, saying that they have put the system of 29 schools in a compromised position.
The campuses... are at a crossroads, he said, forced to choose between maintaining affordability and maintaining quality. "Massachusetts is headed in the wrong direction on this, and we are placing the future of the state in jeopardy,'' Freeland said. [Full Article: Boston Globe]
...Freeland identified several "bright spots" in public higher education, including efforts to keep costs down and new dormitories at Salem State and Worcester State, as well as new science facilities built with bond funds. "There's great spirit on the campuses," he said. "Lots of good things are happening for individual students, individual classrooms."
Public higher education officials plan on Sept. 30 to formally launch what they are calling The Vision Project. Higher education officials said the project will focus on documenting excellence in the system and ways that the system can grow and improve. Officials from across the system will gather in Westborough to launch the project. [State House News Service]
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
By 2013, the voice and input of the state's multi-racial, multi-ethnic communities will create a counterweight to the currently dominant voice and will be tangibly reflected in the public decision making process. |
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Primary Elections
90 years ago, women gained the right to vote. We can ALL exercise that right on Tuesday.
 Primary Election September 14th. Do not forget to vote
this coming Tuesday September 14th in the Primary Election for Governor,
Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer,
Auditor and State Representatives and State Senators.
For more
information on where you have to go to vote visit WheredoIVoteMa.com.
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GOVERNMENT REFORM
By 2013, a transparent, accessible and accountable state and local
policy-making process will be in place. |
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Public Transparency
Legislature launching redesigned website
The state Legislature plans to launch a new web site Friday and legislative leaders are promising easier access to bill information and a clearer window into state government for constituents and students.... Murray and DeLeo, in a press release, claim the new site
will move "far beyond" the existing one and will continue to improve in
response to feedback. [State House News Service]
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- Sept 17th - The Gastón Institute's 2010 Statewide Latino Public Policy Conference, Securing the Dream: Power, Progress, Prosperity. The conference will address public policies and organizational practices affecting Latinos in their local communities in the key policies areas, and will take place at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, MA. Primary conference objectives are:
- To increase understanding of current issues that impact Latinos in Massachusetts,
- To provide new data reports on immigration, education, health, economic development as well as updated demographic reports,
- To create a dialogue between policy makers and Latinos on the impact of public policies and organizational practices,
- To serve as a network connector for participants interested in the advancement of Latinos.
- Sept 25th-26th - JP Open Studios. Hyde Square Task Force youth will join forces with 11 local artists to transform the Cheverus Building into an unforgettable exhibition of artistic talent. This riveting display of community artwork is not to be missed! Hyde Square Task Force teaches youth leaders how to use art as a tool for making positive social change. [More info: jodi@hydesquare.org]
Sat & Sun, 11:00am - 6:00pm HSTF Cheverus Building, 365 Centre Street [ Map] (located behind the Blessed Sacrament Church)
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 Want more information on ONE Massachusetts and how you can get involved? Check out our: |
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