Will Brownsberger — State Senator, Democrat, 2d Suffolk and Middlesex District

Interesting study – see the original document (quick read, 8 pages, simple-to-understand, good graphics) at: http://www.pewtrusts.org/uploadedFiles/wwwpewtrustsorg/Fact_Sheets/Economic_Policy/drivers_federal_debt_since_2001.pdf How’d the national debt get so huge? In 2001, the Congressional Budget Office forecast that the nation’s publicly-held debt would be eliminated by 2006, and a surplus of $2.3 trillion would have accumulated by now. Instead, the federal government is now [...]

I left David Chase and Jim Sloman know that I liked this article on pro-growth economic policies and asked for their comments and they had the exchange reproduced below. As a state representative, I focus on matters of state policy and especially on those matters of state policy where there is some potential for action. [...]

While Mass. has been more responsible than the poster children of state irresponsibility Michael Gerson’s column is worth noting. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/11/AR2010111106084.html?wpisrc=nl_pmopinions

There’s been a bit of press about the drive to repeal the sales tax on alcohol. Personally, I’m not crazy about paying an extra $1.25 on a case of Harpoon IPA. I have some questions (which I can’t find answers to on the state web site) and a suggestion. Questions: What other taxes are there [...]

In April, the House, with leadership support, passed two big steps in the right direction on financial transparency. The Senate, during budget debate, approved roughly the same measures, making their final passage highly likely.

I would support this law change if it were subject to a vote of the people consistent with the spirit of Proposition 2.5. As written right now, there is no such provision for a local electoral vote and I expect to vote against the change. I will make my final decision after listening to debate on the floor.

Last week, I voted with a surprisingly small minority to curtail the state’s film tax credit, which was expanded under the leadership of former speaker Sal DiMasi. Mike Widmer, the President of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, has stated that “All the evidence shows that it is a very costly tax credit with minimal economic impact, [...]

While on a trip to NH to look for a “new address” I stopped at BJ’s Wholesale in Nashua. I actually had a hard time finding a NH license plate! 8 out of 10 were MA Plates doing there shopping in tax free NH! Nashua was PACKED! all those people with jobs catering to MA [...]

Keep up the good work. The tax that makes sense to me is increasing gas taxes and spending the money on, in priority order:  expanded mass transit (this helps drivers too by reducing congestion and wear and tear on the road), roads and bridges.  Making gas more expensive makes sense from a global warming perspective.  [...]

I was disappointed to read in the Belmont Citizen-Herald that you are proposing a bill to raise taxes on those making more than $140,000 per year to 7.5% per annum. In these economically difficult times, I believe that the state should be looking for ways to decrease taxes in order to encourage more business expansion. [...]

“I personally remain prepared to go further and increase the gas tax to better fund both roads and transit infrastructure.” You voted for the sales tax, you voted to Tax the Tax on beer and wine(ya that’s right! you taxed a tax!) What won’t you tax? Should I just sign over my check to you? [...]

Will the legislature reverse this rediculous sales tax increase once they realize they have caused the loss of jobs? as long as they get the free lunches, per diem’s, staff that (publiuc has no right to know about) 2010 , I hope the people of massachusetts say ENOUGH !

I voted this afternoon for the FY2010 budget which passed with 110 votes in the House and 31 in the Senate, in both branches more than the 2/3 needed to override a possible veto.

Perhaps the main things to underline at this stage are: (a) nothing at all is settled yet about the budget, reform or revenue; (b) all the major players endorse the principle of reform before revenue and are trying to do the right thing.

Even with the sales tax increase, the budget will sustain deep cuts and Massachusetts will have a roughly average tax burden compared to other states. The increase will fund local aid, Big Dig debt and limited restorations of key programs.

A proposal to raise the personal income tax exemption and simultaneously raise the rate — so as to make the income tax more progressive — has merit, but it is not politically viable at this time.

An outline of the financial issues that will be front and center throughout the coming legislative session.

Most feedback to me has been overwhelmingly supportive of the gas tax — simple, fairer than high tolls, environmentally sound, definitely needed, a broad-based mechanism to fund a broadly-used commonwealth asset.

A conversation is developing about the gas tax and also about how to protect low and middle-income tax payers from additional financial stress.

The major elements of the emerging House approach to the budget are essentially the same as in the Governor’s proposal, except that, instead of casino revenues, the House proposes to levy a cigarette tax.