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Opponents of Question 1 did not get the message when pitching tax reform to Healy
In November, voters opted for a fairer tax system by passing Question 1, “Millionaire Tax,” (“Business Makes Big Demands on New Governor: Tackling Taxes,” Chesto Means Business, January 19). Voters have made it clear that cutting taxes for the ultra-rich is not the best way to boost Massachusetts’ economy. Rather, educate them to invest in public goods that help all residents and businesses succeed, such as well-funded schools, better roads and bridges, affordable public universities, and reliable public transportation. I’m here.
Massachusetts faces real problems that threaten its economic competitiveness, from high housing costs and crumbling infrastructure to the enormous burdens families face to pay for childcare and college.
But the business lobbyist who led the losing battle for Question 1 clearly didn’t get the message. They continue to pay lip service to the need to solve these big problems, while focusing their real energies on the latest efforts to lower taxes for the wealthy.
The passage of the Fair Share Amendment shows that voters want state governments to make significant investments to address the challenges they face as a federal government. Profitable big corporations and their wealthy investors need to stop creating roadblocks to the change voters demand.
Jonathan Corn
policy director
Progressive Massachusetts
Boston
We need a way to pay for investments that works for all of us
Jon Chesto’s column, “The Business Community Has Big Demands on the New Governor: Tackling Taxes,” demonstrates the focus of business leaders on reducing taxes. Chest also said he wants Gov. Maura Healy to tackle the high costs of doing business by addressing issues like housing, road congestion, a collapsed transportation system, and childcare.
According to a recent study, the annual cost of affordable, quality early care and education is $5 billion, and it could be $3.2 billion to bring housing vouchers to everyone in need. This does not include transportation upgrades or road and bridge repairs.
Taxes like those raised by the Fair Share Amendment are needed to cover these costs. That really doesn’t seem like too much to ask so that we can make investments that help us all, including the business community.
Mary Titman
Cambridge
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