A Good Progressive Mass. Tax Bill

On Thursday, May 5th, over 900 progressive activists showed up at the State House to attend a press conference and Gardner auditorium hearing in front of the Joint Committee on Revenue in support of An Act to Invest in Our Communities - co-sponsored by Rep. James O'Day (D-West Boylston) and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston). According to the advocacy group One Massachusetts, "the bill proposes an increase in the income tax rate from 5.3% to 5.95%, including an increase in personal exemptions from $4,400 (single) / $8,800 (married) to $7,900 (single) / $15,800 (married). It also proposes an increase of the dividends and interests rate from 5.3% to 8.95%, with an exemption for low and middle income seniors and disabled persons." The Mass. Department of Revenue Analysis estimates that the bill will raise over $1.3 billion next year if implemented and more in years to come. That money would go a long way towards covering the artificial budget gap created by years of pro-corporate neo-liberal tax policies in Massachusetts.

While not perfect, and not a graduated income tax (which would require a change to the state constitution), passing this bill would be a great first step towards a people-centered tax regime in the Commonwealth.

Neighbor to Neighbor, Service Employees International Union, One Massachusetts, United for a Fair Economy and several other community organizations and unions - plus the Green-Rainbow Party - did a fine job turning their members and allies out for the lobby day, and are to be commended for their work on the bill. Open Media Boston recommends that our viewers contact those organizations at speed and see what they can do to get the bill passed.

Jason Pramas is Editor/Publisher of Open Media Boston