Question 1 - Massachusetts

[Jeff270]

Massachusetts differs from many states in that it currently has a flat tax system and taxes all income levels at the same rate: 5%. Voters have rejected attempts to implement a graduated income tax in the past.

 

Question 1 would change the state constitution and create a 4% additional tax on all income earned above $1 million. If someone earns $1 million or less, they would not be subject to the additional tax. If they earn $2 million, they are taxed only on the second million in earnings.

The money from the tax increase would be used for education and transportation costs, subject to appropriation by the state legislature.

 

 

My thoughts:

What they fail to mention in all the ads is this.  This doesn't mean the "extra" money will generate more dollars for education and transportation, yes these funds would be used as stated, BUT,  the money that  would have been allocated for this without the new tax, can now be spent on other things.    In other words, if they raise $2B through the new tax, it will free up $2B  that would have been used for E and T now to be used for whatever pet project the legislators want.   It in no way allocates more money for E&T.  Its a dishonest shell game.  I will vote NO!

 

Your thoughts?

Edited October 14, 2022 by Jeff270

[capequahog]

questions on the MA ballot can be confusing in respect to what a yes or no vote means, I haven't looked at them yet to figure them out but this is important

[Mangomania]

14 mins ago, Jeff270 said:

In other words, if they raise $2B through the new tax, it will free up $2B  that would have been used for E and T for whatever pet project the legislators want.   It in no way allocates more money for E&T.  Its a dishonest shell game.  I will vote NO!

 

Your thoughts?

That's how lottery was implemented and works in Florida.

[Northshore Bob]

NO!

[JTR]

It’s pushed hard by the most liberal of liberals here. Easy No vote. 

[mybosox3]

In a nutshell it’s another tax. Today its in millionaires tomorrow everyone. Cut spending!

[mybosox3]

49 mins ago, Mangomania said:

That's how lottery was implemented and works in Florida.

Lottery is at your descretion

[Richard_the_Aughth]

Wow, you guys All make more than a million a year? No wonder you have so much time to fish!

[JTR]

1 min ago, Richard_the_Aughth said:

Wow, you guys All make more than a million a year? No wonder you have so much time to fish!

My bigger issue is the fact that it’s in no way, shape or form guaranteed to increase money where they say it is going to be spent. I have a strong suspicion that the additional money it provides will be put towards things like making the T free. Plus with the absolutely awful governor we’re about to elect, I think less money in the hands of the government is a good thing, not more.

[JTR]

Also, one more point and then I’ll quit my rambling.

 

The fact that this is called the Fair Share Amendment by those pushing for it, should tell you all you need to know. What is fairer than all income being taxed at the same %? Nothing that I can think of. 

[Mikx]

"Your first million is free!" -- this is a lie. You are "free" to pay 5%, like everyone else.
How about the other way? Everybody has the same access to the resources, infrastructure, services, etc.
Why not just pay $1,000 per person (or $10,000 or whatever)? That would be fair, no?
People who make more money, they already pay more taxes. Government will spend/waste every last dollar, no matter how much we give it.

 

[ifishthebadspots]

38 mins ago, JTR said:

Also, one more point and then I’ll quit my rambling.

 

The fact that this is called the Fair Share Amendment by those pushing for it, should tell you all you need to know. What is fairer than all income being taxed at the same %? Nothing that I can think of. 

Defining "fair" isn't easy even for a professional philosopher, I wouldn't jump on that assumption.

 

I would vote YES on this, because this is the only way forward as I see it. The divide between the rich and everybody else  is only getting bigger.

[JTR]

12 mins ago, ifishthebadspots said:

Defining "fair" isn't easy even for a professional philosopher, I wouldn't jump on that assumption.

 

I would vote YES on this, because this is the only way forward as I see it. The divide between the rich and everybody else  is only getting bigger.

So just for clarification, your voting yes to punish the rich for being rich, with the assumption that if the rich have less, the poor will have more? 
 

I don’t have a problem per se with taxing people who make more a little bit more. My problem is doing it in true politically vague fashion. No where does it state that this money will be IN ADDITION to money already budgeted towards education and public transit. If you think for a second that if this passes, the state will be spending $2 billion more on education and transportation, you’re out of your mind.

 

Go take a look at Boston politicians- the same people pushing hard for Q1 are also pushing hard for the T to be free. There is absolutely no reason that non-T riders should be paying for busses and trains full of middle class workers to get to work - no reason at all. It doesn’t take much to connect the dots.

Edited October 14, 2022 by JTR

[ifishthebadspots]

6 mins ago, JTR said:

So just for clarification, your voting yes to punish the rich for being rich, with the assumption that if the rich have less, the poor will have more? 
 

I don’t have a problem per se with taxing people who make more a little bit more. My problem is doing it in true politically vague fashion. No where does it state that this money will be IN ADDITION to money already budgeted towards education and public transit. If you think for a second that if this passes, the state will be spending $2 billion more on education and transportation, you’re out of your mind.

I assume they won't spend it on basket weaving competitions, I can only hope it goes to good use. If you vote NO it will just go on a shelf for many more years, meanwhile we can presumably change the allocation of funds if we are unhappy with it.

[Mangomania]

1 hour ago, mybosox3 said:

Lottery is at your descretion

True, but was sold as supplement to education that just allowed redirection of existing education funding.