[WestMALocals] Press Release| Broadhurst Unveils Fair Tax Plan

[Owen Broadhurst]

 Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508
owen.broadhurst at gmail.com


AGAWAM - The Broadhurst Committee has announced today that it happily shall
accept Democratic candidate Rosemary Sandlin's cordial invitation to debate
issues in a public forum, urges many more such forums, and now reveals the
candidate's plan for genuine tax relief in a fashion that shall end the
Commonwealth's fiscal crisis.

Owen R. Broadhurst, a Green-Rainbow Party candidate for state representative
in the Third Hampden District, urges no fewer than eight such forums and
possibly more. "While my campaign certainly welcomes the opportunity to
debate pressing issues in a public forum, no one forum could effectively
cover the several issues of paramount importance to the voters in this
district." Broadhurst urged a series of public forums, each with its own
particular focus. "This candidate would like to see forums focused on
particular sets of issues. One may be devoted to the subject of tax reform.
Others could focus on environmental issues, education, health care,
facilitating local enterprise, and combatting wage stagnation among other
pressing issues."

Broadhurst noted that he's particularly interested in exploring issues of
tax relief and tax fairness. "I shall not sign any No New Taxes pledge,
understanding that the key to tax relief is in the reduction of regressive
taxes and abolishing corporate welfare. The Commonwealth can raise revenue
by greater than 15% while reducing the tax burden for more than 80% of its
citizens. Presently, the total tax burden for the wealthiest 1% is but
4.6%of its income. Everyone else pays nearly 8% or more. Tax relief
results from
tax equity. We have an allegedly flat income tax in this state, but our
total tax burden is anything but flat. Ordinary folks are now subsidizing
the wealthiest among us, even as our communities are strangled and
starving."

Broadhurst observes that the biggest drains on the wallets of district
voters are the fees and regressive taxes that continue to climb when income
taxes are reduced. "People pay more than an income tax. In fact, the biggest
drain on our wallets in terms of taxes is the total accumulated cost of
property tax, excise tax, the sales tax, and the many fees one needs to pay
simply to live in this state. Such fees as those associated with driver's
license renewal, vehicle registration, homestead protection, sewer service,
kindergarten enrollment in many communities, participation in school sports
or band, et cetera, certainly well add up. Taken together with sales tax,
excise tax, tangible property tax, and income tax, everyday folks are paying
- as a portion of annual income - far more than the wealthiest among us for
far less of a return in terms of services."

"Tangible property values are still on the rise, which means municipal taxes
are still on the rise no matter how much our communities might reduce the
tax rate. Fees continue to rise, even as the cost of living continues to
rise. We're being squeezed, squashed, and steamrolled - many now have
trouble making ends meet - while those who can afford to pay the most
actually pay the least, if they're paying much of anything at all.
Massachusetts reportedly has a flat income tax, but our total tax burden has
a regressive impact. We're being overburdened. We've paid our fair share
many times over. The time is now to shift the total tax burden, offer tax
relief, and solve our state's manufactured and inexcusable fiscal crisis.
"Our communities are suffocating. Many cities and towns cannot afford a
music and arts program. Many charge high fees for kindergarten
participation. Our sewage and water fees are rising, cutbacks to school
budgets are becoming more commonplace, potholes are not being repaired, more
citizens are being assessed direct trash removal fees, and few schools will
even entertain the notion of elementary school foreign language programs.
State aid to cities and towns is dwindling while all costs are rising, and
the residents are now being forced to pick up the ball that our Democratic
state legislature keeps dropping. Teachers are fleeing to far better wages
in Connecticut. City workers are watching actual wages fall as compared to
the cost of living.

"We're subsidzing the fat cats. Raytheon and Fidelity barely pay taxes at
all. The likelihood is that a district voter pays a far more significant
income tax than they have. Our Democratic Party legislature gave huge tax
breaks to Raytheon and Fidelity, created monstrous tax loopholes enabling
the largest of corporations to dance around paying their fair share of the
burden, and afforded monstrous tax breaks to their largest campaign
contributors. Politicians and their fat cat contributors are having a
rip-roaring party for themselves - and we're the folks that are buying their
meals and picking up their beer tab. It is time to decline the tab.

"Repealing the Raytheon and Fidelity tax breaks would generate more than an
additional $220 million in revenue for the state. Closing corporate
"combined reporting" loopholes would generate over $97 million for the
state. Applying a transfer tax to sales of higher end real estate would
generate over $500 million for the state. Repealing the sales tax exemption
on services such as lobbying, legal and accounting services, engineering
services, business consulting, public relations and financial management
would generate over $530 million for the state. Implement a 30 cent per
pound tax on the top ten carcinogens, and over $115 million in revenue would
be raised. An intangible property tax on financial instruments of $2 per
$1000 with a $50,000 deductible would generate nearly $500 million for the
state. This yields nearly $2 billion in revenue raised without raising your
taxes.

"Restore the income tax to 5.95% and lower sales tax to 4%, and - through
that alone - a very large portion of the voters in this district would know
tax relief while overall revenue would be raised. Earmark but 20% of revenue
raised by the sales tax to cities and towns, and our communities would have
incentive to give tax relief as well. Raytheon paid only $456 in state taxes
in the year 2000. How much did the average voter pay? How much less could
one pay with an efficient and fair tax plan? Payoffs for layoffs are killing
public education, health care, police and fire departments. We're being
priced out of our homes to pick up the burden. There's just no rational
excuse for that.

"I have a plan, and not one opposing candidate has embraced this plan. It is
time to stop ignoring common sense and finally begin implementing this plan.
It is only through tax fairness that we can have tax efficiency. This plan,
if implemented, would result in lower taxes for more than 80% of the state's
population while generating over 15% more revenue for cities and towns.
Lower sales tax to 4%, restore the income tax to 5.95%, earmark 20% of sales
tax for cities and towns, close corporate tax loopholes, stop corporate tax
giveaways, double individual and dependent tax exemptions, double the
limited income tax deduction, apply transfer tax to properties valued at
more than $400,000, repeal the sales tax exemption for lobbyists and fat cat
services, implement an intangible property tax with a $50,000 deductible,
institute a carcinogen production tax - and build healthier communities for
all.

"Tax relief can only result from ending corporate welfare. The latter shall
ultimately fuel the former. This candidate urges implementing combined
reporting and "throwback" rules for companies shifting profits out of state;
repealing special sales tax breaks for lobbyists, mutual fund companies and
defense contractors; and providing incentives for cities and towns to reduce
tax rates on tangible properties. No trickle-down so-called "fiscal
stimulus" package is worth what mayhem this legislature so relishes
committing against health and human services, schools and city services,
municipal employees, people in poverty, nearly all taxpayers in general, and
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts itself."





-- 
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org