I love progressive liberal politicians, - now they're taxing you to pay for their future mistakes!

the sales tax was to be used for education the gas tax for roads and bridges where is the money gone?

Recent election results show people want more taxes by there far right liberal incumbants or are they just ignorant when going to the polls? It's all about the sheep following there leader, the presidante'.

"Under my plan, sales tax proceeds would be off limits for any other purpose," Patrick said. Does he really think this would happen. The governement ear marks certain money for a specific purpose and then they just "borrow" from that. Also Isn't he the one that increased the Sales Tax. What the government needs to do is CUT wasteful spending.

What do you think? Governor is proposing some very wasteful spending. The media needs to highlight how poor some of these proposals are (to shame politicians to at least hide their nefarious ways). I think the plan is aim high so that smaller tax increases and smaller wasteful spending don't seem so bad.

Is the choice between higher taxes and growth, and lower taxes and stagnation?
No. The choice is between higher taxes and stagnation, and lower taxes and growth.

Do you support the tax increase?
No

There are bridges in this state that you should never cross. Ever. Just saying. And lower taxes does equate low growth. just look what happened to our surplus and economy under Bush.

Until the bloat and inefficiencies are addressed, the commonwealth really deserves no increase in revenues. As Mike noted above, our infrastructure is in poor repair. Is that because we've not sent enough taxes into the State or, have they squandered the taxes we've sent in... all the more reason for folks to pay attention to who and why they are voting.

The infrastructure is where we lose the most money -- look at every major infrastructure project we undertake, how much OVER we always spend, and how much UNDER we get for quality. The "roads and bridges, tunnels and schools" mantra of Washington is just another way of pointing at the hole in which all our money seems to get funnelled away from its intended purpose.

If it weren't for people not seeing the old "pull the vote" deception with Tim Cahill in the last gubernatorial election, Patrick would be another Beltway Bandit taking money from us at some private contractor, or maybe carrying the O-Man's briefcase. I really have no idea if the republican winning the last election would have been good or not, but anything is better than Deval beating his chest in front of his taxpayers and telling them that we aren't doing enough for him.

Please... enough is enough, but WE are the ones at fault here.

We are operating with nothing but decreases in revenue. Gov. Patrick got rid of 6000 state jobs, the Turnpike Authority and a bunch of other bloat. So what are you referring to exactly? Because I think you touched on something when you said we are not sending enough taxes to the State. Between 1998 and 2002 Massachusetts implanted a number of cuts to the income tax, costing approximately $2.5 billion in revenue each year. Massachusetts cut the personal income tax rate from 5.95 percent to 5.3 percent resulting in a $1.3 billion annual loss, cut the dividends and interest tax rate from 12 percent to 5.3 percent for a $750 million annual loss and expanded the personal exemption costing about $480 million annually. An example of what we've cut is that state spending on early education and care declined by over $174 million, more than 25 percent. With all the cuts to mental health services (which, we can probably all agree in light on Newtown, should be put back), funds for towns and cities, etc. that have been happening for the last fifteen years, what is the bloat you are referring to?

Why don't we just give them the pay check and let them give us what they think we need. I believe we had an issue with jerks back about 1700's but what the hell there back. HISTORY repeats

the only way I want to see this plan work is is the the tolls are taken down off the pike
Especially off the Western tolls because they are legally mandated to once the bonds are paid off in 2017

however as noted in that new report they are claiming the loss of that revenue would be devastating as it equates to over 120 million per year...even as the debt services is only 18 million

once again...proves money from the west is funding development that does not benefit those who are paying it

who is honestly going to take a train from Pittsfield to NY...what a waste of 118 million
the demand for south coast rail has been so much that how many public outcries for it have been had...
o yea...zero...so why blow 1.9 billion for such a small population to gain access to and use
we already tried applying for ARRA funds for that project in 09 and were swiftly turned down

Christopher R. Cook - The Commonwealth may have eliminated thousands of jobs, but I'm a consultant and very frequently get long term contract opps with the State for $80-95/hr as a contractor. Looks like they eliminated on and pay 2X for contractors...

A progressive liberal Democrat wants to raise taxes?,...impossible.

Slowly but surely we will become California.

Why shouldn't he ask for this money - the voters in the state are for the most part, morons. They keep returning the same low level people as long as they have a D next to their name. This is about payback to the unions/pubic employees who supported Patrick and Obama - and Patrick kicking off his 2016 Pres campaign.

They'll kill jobs, but they don't care - when the economy crashes they will be off giving speeches, sitting on boards and cashing in while their sucks up in the media will blame Republicans make birth control and gay marriage the most important issues. The state and US are going downhill in a torrent of stupidity of the masses. More people can probably tell you the latest on Kim Kardashian and Tom Brady than how Patrick wants to destroy jobs with this self aggrandizing scheme.

Ever been to someone's house where they have a candy dish filled with Hershey Kisses? At first, people will grab them 4-5 at a time, as the dish goes down maybe 2-3, but then it gets to be one at a time as people reflect on how good it was when you could grab handfuls and how it stinks you can only have one or two.

So it is with taxes. Our Governor did not ask us -- he has told us -- that he wants his candy dish filled so he can grab his handfuls. And we, the misguided lot that we are, are the ones who fill the bowl, bend over for our spanking while yelling, "Yes Sir! May I have another?!?"

Taxes are part of the Democrats' genetic code. You vote for them; you live with the result. A typical example of the tax increase on millionaires is that Patrick wants to eliminate the state income tax deduction for children under 12. This is a tax increase on large working class families most of whom are not millionaires.

Since moving here several years ago I'm astounded that the people merely accept the govt mismanagement and graft... This lingering vestige of the Irish mob protection and payoff system really need to be cleansed. Commonwealth citizens really need to put down the remote, park the recreational vehicles and pay attention. Ill-informed voters continue to put these people in office. I agree with Rotbart assessment of liberal genetics...

Taxes are a necessary side effect of living in a democracy. Resisting taxes is unpatriotic. Take the energy you spend demonizing public officials and use it to improve your own community.

"Guest",if paying taxes is socialism, what is not paying taxes? Anarchy or fascism? Whoa, you can have either of those two choices you want. I'll stick with contributing to my community.

Fran, don't be so pedantic...when taxes become oppressive to support entitlement programs, socialism is the structural descriptor.

Sure, let’s take MORE money out of the hands of the people who are struggling to make a living and hand it over to the state. Show me where any part of the government state or federal has used our money wisely over the years. They do so well we have over a trillion-dollar deficit federally and over a billion-dollar deficit at the state level. Give us all a break and get out of our pockets when you decide to do a quick fix on your mistakes. Try dropping a few unneeded bureaucracies first.

How about when taxes become oppressive to support BP or GE. Are you worried about their tax burden, Are they justified to not only not pay taxes and recieve a huge tax refund from your "socialist" government. That sounds like your "don't pay taxes" fascist dream.. I think you are only worried about the tiny percent that goes to help the poor. Not so much the rich. Your taxes were used to pay those refunds "Guest" Where is your indignation about that?

Fran,
You are missing the point. We are scheduled for another reduction of local aid in Swampscott. It is true that we must contribute to pay for those things you mention in our community. When Gov. Patrick throws out the grand plan for "investing" in train service to New Bedford, and from Pittsfield to NY, all it means is less money coming back to our community. His administration needs to manage better what we send them. Maybe then we can afford some of our own needs.
CS

To Luis and Fran the tax lovers. I am all for you paying more taxes. It's the taxes on me that I object to.

Guest, why do anti tax people always think a rude personal attack makes them right on the side of the tax argument?Have a nice day "guest"!

The rich should and do pay more taxes, ...but how much is enough?, and when the rich are drained,...Who is rich then?
Obama ran up $6 Trillion in debt, more than all his predecessors combined,..yet gas is still high, food costs are high, unemployment and housing are bad,...and now, the progressives want MORE taxes?
Taking more of money that people, not institutions like Obama's crony capitalist pals, have worked for,- that is stealing,..period.

The great liberal Gov. Patrick raised fares 100%for the Ride, hurting the most vulnerable members of society,- the elderly and disabled, people on a fixed income,...there was no place to make it up in the budget?,- cowards.
I have nothing but disdain for the corrupt progressive politicians in this state.
People who want to pay more money to these people are in need of care.

Our Federal income tax AND our State tax are PROGRESSIVE...ax that takes a larger percentage from the income of high-income earners than it does from low-income individuals. In 2010, individuals who earned up to $8,375 fell into the 10% tax bracket, while individuals earning $373,650 or more fell into the 35% tax bracket. Basically, taxpayers are broken down into categories based on taxable income; the more one earns, the more taxes hey will have to pay once they cross the benchmark cut-off points between the different tax bracket levels. I say let's institute a national VAT and state level consumpution taxes. Then all those folks who whine about the rich should pay more will feel the pinch. I say enough of the progressive approaches...I say pay tax based on what you consume. That is fair tax.

To Fran: If you consider be called a tax lover as an offensive personal attack, then be offended. You need to hear it.

Being called a patriotic American that is willing to contribute to my community (tax Lover) is not an "offensive personal attack". Being called a "true uninformed liberal with whom a "obvious intellectual debate is not possible" is meant to be demeaning and the usual mean spirited conservative defense position for all their political views. As exemplified by the past 4 years of name calling and insults to anyone who opposes their ideology.

"5000 Year Leap," "The most quoted book by Glen Beck" . Enough said!!!

Quoting and endorsing are two different things. The "5000 Year Leap" is still a great reference to help you to understand the right relationship between the people and their government. So if you don't like that book, try anything by Cicero, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, or Thomas Jefferson. they all say the same thing. then expand your thinking by reading de Touqueville and you'll have a better understanding of how we've gotten to where we are. This is the issue with Liberals...your logic is all over the map, its generally founded in emotion and is largely indefensible.

Fran, Nothing is stopping you and all the other "Patriots" who love big government and wasteful spending from Media and Hollywod and beyond, you can send a check anytime you like,..the IRS allows you, a "good American" to pay more in taxes,...please, feel free.

Again, enough said!

The non partisan GAO yesterday said quote - "...Absent policy changes, the Federal Government continues to face an unsustainable fiscal path..."
By all means, more spending and taxes are the way to go,...sure.

This Francis sounds like a real Communist. Just saying.

U wanna be a Dem, "PAY UP" you fools.

Bob, Fran, like many liberals on the left were ether poisoned by liberal academia gogma, or are or are simply unable to see there ain't no utopia.

Again, enough said! So much anger! You guys need to relax and get a grip. Other people have different opinions then you do. Is that so hard for you to deal with? No, I'm an American,thank you for asking.

Destroy the economy, Entitalments, take the power away from the people, cause a Revolution, and then step in with a new AmeriKa = Democratic Socialist States of AmeriKa.
All taught in our own colleges by communist teachers and the Constitution is not even heard of by the students.

The entitlement culture engineered by the progressive liberals in the Democrat party has now become endemic. Watch this and perhaps you'll better understand why many of us protest higher taxes when they are misappropriated and mismanaged. We all want to help folks when down and out, but cannot support the likes of this Mr. Brooks...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL-a-r7iJIU

Gotta Redistribute that money.

Oh my, ..such anger, my, you Conservatives are crazy.
The country has crushing dent, is sliding into 3rd world status, a government bent on destroying the Constitution and individual liberty,...but why be angry?, just be a good drone and pay your taxes and enjoy the decline!

The reason for must of our problems is that people are too apathetic and not angry enough,- sheep.

Any money u got, give it to the dems

You need to know that politics is a game and we are being betrayed and played in the worst way.

Deval is playing this like someone on a pawn shop show, you ask for a 1000 but you'll take 500.. He knows he's not going to get his full price, but he will make you feel like you got the better deal paying half...wake up people...

So much corruption at all levels of spending. Increasing taxes is not the answer. Guess Duval didn't hear the president when he said "no tax increases for the middle class" Yeah right. Politicians just squander the money away from hard working people who have jobs, pay their taxes, and now struggle to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. This state and country is doomed. Too many people believe it is the government's responsibility to take care of them. And they think it's free. Good god.