[WestMALocals] Broadhurst Urges "Don't Be Fooled on No New Taxes"

[Owen Broadhurst]

Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508

AGAWAM - The Green-Rainbow Party candidate for State Representative in the
Third Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, is urging voters to
not be fooled into believing that an income tax rollback to 5.0% will lower
their tax burden.

"When any politician or legislator tries to sell you their No New Taxes
pledge, hand over your wallet," says Broadhurst, "for what this means is a
higher property tax, and higher fees, while cities and towns implement even
more fees. The No New Taxes pledge addresses only 0.003% of your
5.3%income. Your property tax, sales tax, and fees are far higher."

Broadhurst observes that the largest burdens for most taxpayers are the
regressive taxes and fees that have climbed since the state's income tax was
rolled back from 5.95%. "Beacon Hill has forgotten its pact with our cities
and towns. When Proposition 2 1/2 was passed, it was intended that the state
would shoulder much of the burden. Instead, with the rollback in income
taxes, Chapter 90 funds have been slashed, Chapter 70 funds have been
slashed, and local aid at every turn."

"To make up for this neglect, cities and towns have been compelled to use
the only methods for revenue generation that they can. Fees are being
charged in many cities and towns for waste collection, school buses, full
day kindergarten, band participation, school sports and after-school clubs.
Fees assessed for sewer services and water service have been rising, and
Proposition 2 1/2 overrides since the income tax rollback have been at an
all time high. Green-Rainbow Party gubernatorial candidate Grace Ross
observed that 'We're drowning in No New Taxes', and I couldn't agree more,"
says Broadhurst.

Broadhurst observes that he is alone among candidates for State
Representative in the District in advocating that the sales tax be slashed.
"I'm the sole and only candidate campaigning to reduce your total tax
burden," Broadhurst argues. "I am alone in calling for the sales tax to be
reduced to 4%, with 20% of that revenue reserved for cities and towns. I am
alone in calling for the doubling of individual and dependent tax exemptions
and doubling the limited income tax deduction. I'm calling for the state's
income tax to be restored to 5.95%, but in such a fashion that most District
voters shall pay far less."

Broadhurst notes that while most individuals would pay far less under his
plan, the Commonwealth would generate far more revenue through his
recommended reforms to finally fund the unfunded mandates that it has placed
on public schools and pay for needed services. "I'm calling for those who
have avoided paying their fair share to finally pay their fair share now,"
says Broadhurst. "While the rest of us have been shelling out more than 8%
of our paycheck in total tax and fee burden, the wealthiest 1% pay merely
4%."

Broadhurst urges the following reforms to lessen the regressive tax burden
and enhance revenue generation:

* Repealing the Raytheon and Fidelity tax breaks to generate more than an
additional $220 million in revenue for the state.
* Closing corporate "combine reporting" loopholes to generate over $97
million for the state.
* Applying a transfer tax to sales of higher end real estate to 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 to generate over $530 million for the
state.
* Implementing a 30 cent per pound tax on the top ten carcinogens to
generate over $115 million for the state.
* Assessing an intangible property tax on financial instruments of $2 per
$1000 with a $50,000 deductible to generate nearly $500 million for the
state.

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