"Lawmakers could change their minds as the economic situation deteriorates in the coming months.... the budget calendar gives lawmakers time to change their minds"
They hope the anger will blow over -- or else they'll pooch us in the middle of the night.
"Mass. legislators looking askance at tax hike plans" by Matt Viser, Globe Staff | April 9, 2009
House and Senate leaders on Beacon Hill, in the throes of a budget crisis of historic proportions, are resisting Governor Deval Patrick's demand for new taxes and instead plan to impose deeper spending cuts, lawmakers said.
The state has yet to finish dealing with a total budget gap that could reach $3.5 billion this year. It faces the prospect of worse revenue shortfalls next year. But when the House unveils its budget next week, it is unlikely to contain the bevy of new taxes Governor Deval Patrick is seeking, including sales taxes on alcohol and candy, and higher fees at the Registry of Motor Vehicles....
Then THEY ARE HEARING US LOUD and CLEAR!!!!
The Senate also is planning to craft a budget that does not account for any tax increases, according to Senator Steven Panagiotakos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "Not many relish taking a tax vote," he said....
Here's why:
The clearest signal from the Legislature: No one wants to discuss taxes right now. "It's a talk for another day," Panagiotakos said....
Wrong!
A House budget next week with heavy cuts would provoke an uproar from social-service advocates and others.... "You're not going to get people to vote on four or five different taxes," said Representative Daniel Bosley, a Democrat from North Adams. "People can't feel like we're raising taxes on them every week. You need . . . to do this one time."
Yup, sneak-pooch ya when you are asleep, taxpayer. Isn't that rape?
The Globe always goes to the same old sources (I never see my rep in their paper), and we all know why.
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