Majority of Democrats Reject D.C. Office Cut

The following article was just posted by State House News Service, just moments after the Democratic-controlled House rejected a Republican proposal that would have saved the state $400,000. One of our Democratic counterparts even referred to the line item as a "measly" $400,000. Sure, Massachusetts taxpayers are being asked to dig deep and share in the burden, but apparently that concept doesn't apply to the Governor's spending habits.

House members voted 49-107 to reject a Republican amendment to eliminate a $400,000 line item for Gov. Deval Patrick's Washington D.C. office. Republicans argued that the office should be paid for out of the governor's own budget and that much of the work was already performed by the state's Congressional Delegation. Proponents of the office said the state reaped many times the investment in the Washington office, which helps secure grants, coordinate Medicaid reimbursement negotiations and helps garner stimulus funding. When Rep. David Linsky suggested that the office returns $10,000 to the state for every $1 investment, Rep. Angelo Scaccia launched into a satirical tirade. "If we put in more people down here, for every dollar we put in, we get nearly $10,000," he said. "We can solve all of our financial problems. I’m going to offer a further amendment that we put $10 million in here. We can relish a billion dollars"

More Press For Republican Lawmakers

The coverage of yesterday's sales tax vote and Republican press conference continues. Below are mutliple reports filed last night by various news outlets.

Click here to see WBZ-TV's Ron Sanders' story.

For Channel 5's Janet Wu's coverage, click here.

And to read the coverage in the Telegaram & Gazette, click here.

DISAPPOINTMENT AND DISILLUSIONMENT IN ADOPTION OF SALES TAX INCREASE AMENDMENT

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. released the following statement tonight after the adoption of an amendment to increase the state’s sales tax.

Disappointment and disillusionment does not even begin to describe how my caucus and I are feeling following tonight’s adoption of the amendment to increase the state’s sales tax. For those Democrats who stood beside us, we applaud and appreciate their efforts to do what is right for the citizens of the Commonwealth. For those who support this ridiculously regressive tax increase, I say shame on them.

We are in the midst of a deep economic recession, and while the federal government is putting money back into the economy, Democrats here in Massachusetts are reaching into taxpayers’ pocketbooks and wallets and grabbing whatever they can get their hands on. Since the beginning of the economic downturn, the Commonwealth has lost thousands of jobs, and if this sales tax increase goes into effect, we can expect thousands of others to lose their jobs as well.

As of the debate and vote tonight, not one meaningful reform has been signed into law and put into motion. We, as a governing body owe it to the hard working taxpayers of Massachusetts to accomplish real reform first.

NECN Covers Republican Press Conference

NECN's Allison King was at the Republican press conference regarding the proposed sales tax increase earlier today.

Click here to see her story.

Republican Lawmakers on WBZ-TV

The press conference held today by Republican lawmakers was featured on WBZ-TV during the noon newscast.

Click here to see the story by WBZ's Sera Congi.

Majority Rejects Tax Free Revenue Initiative

The majority of House Democrats rejected a tax free revenue initiative today. The Republican Leadership Office filed an amendment that would have directed the Commissioner of Corrections to adopt policies and procedures establishing an optional maximum daily fee of $5 to be paid by inmates for room and board. The charge would have based on a sliding scale determined by the prisoner’s ability to pay.

The amendment had the potential to generate several million dollars annually without increasing taxes on Commonwealth residents. More than 40 Democrats voted with Republicans on this amendment.

House Republicans' Message Spreading Like Wildfire

The Boston Globe and Boston Herald just posted new articles to their respective websites regarding the House Republicans' press conference held earlier today. House Republicans are standing united against all proposed tax increases including the sales tax proposal.

Click here to read the article in the Globe.

And here to see the Herald article.

Governor Supports GOP Position

Today, the GOP caucus called on Governor Patrick to announce publicly that if a sales tax increase passes in the House, he will veto the bill, and that is exactly what the Governor has just done. Governor Patrick has just distributed a statement and below are a few excerpts from the letter.

"This afternoon, as the House considers its budget proposal for FY10, members will be asked to consider an increase in the sales tax. Without final and satisfactory action on the several reform proposals before you, I cannot support a sales tax increase and will veto it if it comes to my desk."

"Before we consider any broad-based tax increase, we must first regain the public's confidence in government's ability to steward public funds wisely. That's what our reform agenda is about. On that front, we have unfinished work."

Sound familiar? The Republican Caucus may be small in numbers, but today when it spoke, the Governor listened. We'll let you know if the Democratic-controlled House does the same.

House Republicans Hold Well-Attended Press Conference

House Republicans held an extremely well-attended press conference today outside of the House chamber. Every television station in Boston, the Boston Globe, Associated Press among other media outlets were all in attendance. Republican lawmakers were joined by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts and NFIB. The group said an increase in the sales tax would have a devastating effect on the state's economy and drive business to neighboring tax free states and the Internet.

Minority Whip Brad Hill, seen in the above picture, showed several photos of businesses in Ipswich that recently closed due to the economy. Hill said the state will see more businesses closing up and fleeing the state if a higher sales tax is imposed.

The Beacon Hill Institute estimates that an increased sales tax would cost the state more than 10,000 jobs and millions of dollars in investment.

Budget Debate Begins Today in the House

Dozens of revenue proposals are up for debate in the Massachusetts House of Representatives today. An increase to the state's sales tax appears to be the tax du jour for the Majority Party.

Check in throughout the day as we will be updating the blog often to keep you informed about the happenings in the House.

Click here to watch the debate live online.