Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Statement on Governor’s State of the State Address

Tonight I released the follow statement regarding Governor Patrick’s State of the State address where he announced a plan to raise the state income tax to 6.25% to fund transportation and education initiatives:

Tonight we saw an ambitious plan to dramatically increase state spending, and the corresponding tax burden on the citizens of Massachusetts.  Transportation and education are important priorities that we all share, but those priorities come in the context of an uncertain economic recovery, a state budget is wrestling with a gap of $540 million, and too many people that are unemployed or underemployed.

We need to have a discussion that first focuses on what we need, what state government has already committed to, and what people can afford.  Only then can we have a serious debate about revenue.

When we do, we all need to realize that changing tax rates isn’t the only way to increase revenue.  Building a stronger economy with more taxpayers is also important, and we need to fully understand the adverse impacts a nearly $2 billion tax increase will have on the economic growth we need for the sustainable revenue to fund priorities like transportation and education.