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Vote No on Question 110-26-2008
To the Editor:
I want to add my voice to those who are supporting a no vote on Question 1.
We have heard the word devastation used many times over the past several weeks in response to what the passage of Question 1 would mean to cities and towns. In North Adams, it would mean devastation with a capital D.
The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, in a position paper titled "The Enormous Consequences of Question 1," explained in simple terms how the passage of this question would impact the funding of state government, local aid to municipalities, human services, and higher education as well as capital improvements which need to be made to the state's deteriorating infrastructure.
The impact to the City of North Adams is $4.1 million for noneducation aid and an estimated $2.2 million to the school system. If the city raised the maximum amount of property tax allowed under Prop 2 1/2, it would still have to reduce the budget by $5 million.
This would mean the complete elimination of the Police and Fire Departments as well as the Department of Public Services, and the closing of two schools with class size averaging over 30 students in our elementary schools.
Also negatively impacted will be veterans' benefits, property tax exemptions for the elderly, library funding as well as after school programs and the drug task force. It would be foolish to assume that the state government would allow all this to happen if Question 1 passes. Simply put, new sources of revenues would have to be found including increasing the sales tax and expanding the items which will be taxed. It was once thought to be unthinkable but if Question 1 passes, it will have to be considered. Imagine spending $100 at the grocery store and then having them tax you $6. The worst news of all is there would be a dramatic increase in property tax which is the most regressive tax of all.
When a respected organization such as the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation says the passage of Question 1 is bad for the State, that in itself should remove any doubt that it would be bad for the people of Massachusetts. My fellow mayors across the state, along with our respective City Councils and School Committees, are urging voters to say no to Question 1.
With the nation's economy in recession, we can ill afford to put our communities at further risk by passing a bad law.
North Adams Mayor John Barrett III
Oct. 24, 2008
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