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Budget

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Will Deval Patrick's $1.9 Billion Tax Hike Pass?

The governor is optimistic but state legislators don't sound so sure. What do you think?

  Gov. Deval Patrick is still bullish about his budget proposal, which will raise $1.9 billion in new revenue through an increase in the income tax, decrease in the sales tax, and various other changes to taxes, fees and deductions. But the men and women who have to pass the bill don't sound as eager to support a package many see as a politically damaging measure. The Boston Herald quotes several Beacon Hill legislators who sounded notes of caution and outright opposition to the budget. Those quoted cited the 1990 election losses in the wake of an income tax increase, pressure on small businesses and the higher price of gas as reasons they were skeptical. And the governor's new Web tools touting proposed transportation and education …

Natalie

11:42 am on Monday, March 4, 2013

Most of us spend so much time coming up with reasons of overspending, 2% salary increase, Cadillac, etc. I bet these are only the tip of iceberg made public, the rest is deep of water level our eye can see. The generation of patriots is gone... we are left with a bunch of self-interest politicians to choose from. They are our gift to our children's future. p.s. I can't believe Obama is not taxing…   more ›

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Are you Worried the Sequester Will Affect You?

Massachusetts is chock full of defense contractors, federal employees and federal program beneficiaries. Are you worried the U.S. budget sequester will hurt your family's finances?

The U.S. government has a week before its self-imposed sequestration deadline. If enacted, the across-the-board cuts to the federal budget could mean layoffs, decreased aid and lower government spending.  That could mean trouble for some popular government programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. Defense contractors are also preparing for lost and reduced contracts with the government.  Locally, it could also doom smaller programs that have a big impact. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families in need pay for home heating oil and other energy costs. Massachusetts stands to lose over $11 million in assistance under this one program alone. Representatives Ed Markey and Jim McGovern are trying to shield …

RAB

5:48 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013

We send representatives to Washington to accomplish our objectives. For this we give them over $16trillion. Since they have not even budgeted the distribution of those dollars (our had earned dollars), they have effectively done nothig for fivw years. If I did that, I would be fired in a lot less than five years. We treat them like royalty, not like our employees. Let's get some useful work out …   more ›

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