jackiedoherty.org

Today’s Globe reports on voters in Stoneham defeating a $3 million override which resulted in the school committee cutting all high school sports, as well as eliminating elementary and middle-school arts and music programs. Clearly what’s happening in Stoneham and all over the state proves once again that our current system of funding municipal services on the backs of property owners is failing. Why a fairly affluent community in one of the richest countries in the world (Stoneham may not be Weston, but it’s certainly not Lowell) cannot provide its children with sports, arts and music in school is mind boggling. If we agree property taxes alone can’t bear this burden and recognize that costs continue to rise (consider gas prices and the sickening profits oil companies have made in recent years), what exactly should be done? 

Today a Sun editorial claimed to be “keeping an open mind” while the headline and text revealed another position:Tax Relief? Try Again. In addition to getting the percentage wrong on the governor’s optional meals tax (it’s a 1-2 percent increase, not 1-3), the editorial ignores the governor’s plan for 25% of the revenue to fund tax exemptions for qualifying seniors—those most hurt by rising property taxes. The editorial also chooses to incite fear about finally ending the tax break phone companies have enjoyed for 92 years by stating: “companies will pass the cost on to consumers.” As mentioned in an earlier post, from 2003-2005, the phone companies’ tax bills went down by 46% while costs to consumers increased by 30%. Massachusetts is the only state not to tax them, yet we have some of the highest rates in the country; clearly, the phone companies are not passing on the breaks they’ve received. It’s time to make these companies pay their fair share just like every other business. The editorial ends on a particularly fear-inspiring, mythical note by recycling the label “Taxachusetts.” Ranked state number 28th in tax burdens, this misleading label is not only inaccurate, it deflects attention away from the real issue: Property taxes cannot adequately fund essential services, and without new revenue to meet rising costs, what services are you willing to do without?  (More info on state ranking to follow when I have time for in-depth research.)