As I See It by Representative Paul Frost

Representative Paul Frost had the following piece published in today's Worcester Telegram and Gazette.

On the state level we should be looking at ways to stimulate the economy by allowing people to keep more of their own money.

What President Obama giveth, Gov. Deval Patrick taketh away. This pretty much sums up what I see are mixed messages over the past few weeks from the federal and state sides of government.

On one hand the feds are seeking to stimulate the economy by, in one way, providing tax relief to our citizens in hopes they will use their tax break to spend in the economy. On the other hand, here in Massachusetts our governor is calling for all sorts of tax increases, taking money out of the pockets of taxpayers so they will have less to spend in our state’s economy.

In other words, no matter what you may gain in federal tax relief, Gov. Patrick wants to take it away from you, and then some, for state spending.


Though I certainly have issues with the earmarked spending stimulus the federal government passed, I do support the infrastructure investment and the tax breaks (though too small in my opinion). I find it troubling our governor and others in the state Legislature are calling for higher taxes — most notable of recent days, the gasoline tax. Increasing taxes will only cripple our economy further and make it that much more difficult for our state to rebound when times improve.

Massachusetts will have the highest gas tax in the nation if the governor gets his way. This means businesses and revenues in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Rhode Island can take advantage at our state’s expense. This boom for other states would result from the gas tax increase alone, never mind the other taxes the governor wants to pursue as well.

I know, I know, but what about the tolls? The governor has said if we don’t raise the gas tax then tolls on the Mass Pike will double. This is a false choice that is being given to us. Nineteen cents on the gallon of gas is not needed to stop a toll increase, when in fact only 3 1/2 cents on the gallon would be needed.

And I would further say we can cover for that 3 1/2 cents without raising the gas tax or the tolls at all. There are other choices, ones the Republicans in the House have offered for years, including one plan we offered months ago which could be done without raising taxes or tolls.

The reality is, our citizens cannot afford to pay more in taxes. At the state level we should also be looking at ways to stimulate the economy by allowing people to keep more of their own money and let them and the small businesses of our commonwealth lead us out of this economic downturn and not through state taxes. For the sake of fairness and for our economy the state should not take away the tax breaks our citizens will get from the federal government.

Republican Lawmakers on the Attack, Democrats Forced to Defend Tax Hikes

Republican lawmakers went on the attack yesterday, blasting the tax and spend mentality on Beacon Hill. House and Senate Republicans, disappointed in recent tax increases and in the proposed gas tax and toll hikes, said Governor Patrick and the Democratic-controlled legislature must first explore all reform options.

More than a dozen GOP lawmakers gathered outside the House Chamber for a press conference yesterday, forcing Democrats to defend their continuous efforts to institute new taxes and increase current ones. Below you will find the links to various articles discussing yesterday's press event.

Metro West Daily News

Somerville Journal

Tri Town Transcript

Tax Burden Crushing Residents and Businesses

Republican lawmakers from both the House and Senate held a press conference this afternoon to express their frustration and disappointment with Governor Patrick’s increased tax burden on residents and businesses.

“I cannot in good faith ask, nor can I justify asking taxpayers to fork over even more of their hard earned dollars to support Governor Patrick’s misplaced priorities,” said Representative Brad Jones. “In the last year alone, the Democrats with much opposition from the Republicans, have passed the largest corporate tax increase in history, raised the cigarette tax and proposed a slew of other revenue increases. Enough is enough. We are tired of this argument being painted as if increasing the gas tax or hike the toll fees are our only solutions. That is a fallacy and one we are here to clarify.”

Representative Jones, Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr., Representative Vinny deMacedo were joined by their Republican colleagues at the podium. Along with elected officials, Peter Christie of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and gas station owner Arthur Pappas were there explaining to the press exactly why their industries can no longer afford to stay afloat.

For example, Governor Patrick has proposes a sales tax on candy, soda and alcohol for which he hopes will generate $25 million for the current fiscal year and as much as $150 million for next fiscal year. Especially for those of us who represent communities within close proximity to other states, all we will see is decreased tax revenues and small businesses closing.
With so many companies and retail operations struggling, raising retail taxes to cover any shortfalls is the last thing we should be thinking about. The only ones making out are the businesses in surrounding states.

“It is time to roll up our sleeves and make the hard choices. Increasing taxes is easy, it is a quick fix, but no longer can our residents and small business owners afford quick fixes. They long for and deserve long term solutions and our caucus is offering sound alternatives and we hope our counterparts in the House will start considering them,” added Representative Jones.

Tax and Spend Mentality Must Go, Commonwealth Citizens Can’t Afford another Tax Increase

Republican lawmakers will be holding a media availability Thursday as they push to highlight why the tax and spend mentality on Beacon Hill must go. Governor Patrick’s recent announcement of a proposed 19 cent gas tax increase only adds fuel to the fire as Massachusetts businesses and taxpayers deal with an already enormous tax burden.

Commonwealth citizens are struggling like never before and cannot afford yet another costly and unnecessary tax increase. Republicans in both the House and Senate have proposed a number of reforms that will be outlined in tomorrow’s press conference.

“We will no longer allow Governor Patrick and the Democratic-controlled legislature to paint our state’s issues as an either/or. It is not a gas tax or a toll hike and it certainly isn’t both,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. “Instead, it is our goal to inform citizens that there are options that until now have not been weighed. Tax increases are quick fixes, not long term solutions which is what our residents deserve.”

Along with Republican lawmakers, in attendance will also be representatives from the New England Service Station and Auto Repair Association, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, the Convenience Store Association, among others. These guests will discuss how continuous increased taxes are negatively affecting their industries.

The press conference will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at 12:00 p.m. outside of the House Chamber on the third floor of the Statehouse.

"What Obama Giveth, Patrick Taketh Away"

Part of President Obama’s stimulus package is a tax break of roughly $13 a week for working men and women, with the idea they will use this extra amount in their paychecks to stimulate the economy. However, here in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick wants to take that national tax break away from working families by increasing state taxes. Patrick is now seeking a 19 cent increase in the state gas tax along with other proposals to raise taxes for things like candy bars, mileage and so on.

The federal government is desperately trying to infuse money into the economy and wants to get the general public spending again. Yet, our Governor is doing the complete opposite and wants to take away that $13 a week national tax break and then some by increasing taxes so he can spend it rather than dealing with the difficult task of bringing about true meaningful reform and limit state spending during these troubling times. Our Governor should be finding ways to make Massachusetts more competitive and affordable to live and do business by not taking money out of our economy. There is a better way, invest in our people and small businesses and let them keep more of their own money and let them lead out us of this downturn.

Republicans Proposing Real Solutions

The Boston Herald editorial page is praising a tax amnesty program being launched by the state next month. The GOP–sponsored tax amnesty plan targeting the state’s tax scofflaws was signed into law by Governor Patrick last month. The plan is just another example of Republicans proposing real solutions to help real people solve real problems.

The amnesty program will run for two months and will encourage delinquent taxpayers to voluntarily pay off their back taxes by waiving penalties as an incentive. The Department of Revenue has estimated that this particular program could generate up to $20 million dollars.

Previous tax amnesties offered in 2002 and 2003 brought in $91.6 million and $174 million respectively.

The Boston Globe also has a piece on the amnesty program today. Click here for more details on the plan.

Minority Whip Calls For Reform First

House Minority Whip Brad Hill is calling on Governor Patrick to tackle the state's transportation crisis with reform first. Today, Governor Patrick announed that part of his transportation package would include a significant hike in the gas tax, making Massachusetts' gas tax the highest in the nation.

Click here to hear what Representative Hill had to say to NECN when asked about the Governor's proposal.

Republicans Disappointed in Administration's Transportation Proposal

The Republican Leadership Office released the following statement today in response to Governor Patrick’s proposed transportation package.

We, the Republican Leadership, are disappointed and dismayed in the decision of Governor Patrick and his administration to tax and spend the Commonwealth out of the fiscal mess it faces today. Equally disappointing is the lack of written legislation which was promised 18 months ago. “It’s difficult to comment on something that still hasn’t been put to paper yet,” said Rep. George N. Peterson, Jr., Assistant Minority Leader. “We’ve been waiting 18 months for a comprehensive transportation plan. Today we were only provided with a presentation.”

While we applaud the Governor on his efforts to streamline bureaucracy in the state’s transportation system, we are frustrated that the new plan includes another revenue proposal. Last month it was about taxing candy, soda and alcohol with a cost of $150 million, and today it’s about increasing the tax on fuel at a cost of $620 million. Last year the Governor and the Legislature passed the largest corporate tax package in the history of the Commonwealth costing $500 million, as well as yet another tax increase on cigarettes costing $175 million. “It seems Governor Patrick’s answer to every fiscal challenge is increased taxes,” said Rep. Vinny M. deMacedo, Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Ways & Means. “We cannot continue to go into the taxpayers’ pockets for more money when clearly there are significant cost savings that can be made by solely streamlining and reforming our transportation system.”

If Governor Patrick’s plan is adopted, the Commonwealth will have the highest gas tax in the country. Rep. Bradford R. Hill, Minority Whip, stated “The Governor is asking the people of Massachusetts to pay another $33 million for every one cent increase in the gas tax.” In addition to the exorbitant tax hike, we are still going to be stuck with the tolls. We will not in good conscience ask the taxpayers to dig into their wallets once again to pay for the mistakes of their elected officials. Rep. George N. Peterson, Jr., Assistant Minority Leader stated, “Governor Romney pointed out the Turnpike Authority was losing money several years ago, but no one was interested in reform back then. As a result, we’re going to end up paying a lot more now.”

Additionally, we will not allow the Administration to play “big brother” in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Putting chips in drivers’ cars to keep track of their travels is an incredible invasion of privacy and will not be supported by the Republican Caucus.

"Gas-Guzzler Tax" Coming to a City Near You!

According to an article in today's Boston Globe, "Massachusetts could become the first state with its own Hummer tax under a plan floated by Governor Deval L. Patrick yesterday that would charge higher registration fees for gas-guzzling cars and offer discounts for those that do less harm to the environment."

Enough is enough. We cannot tax and spend our way out of the current fiscal mess. We need to tighten the belts, rein in the out of control spending and reform practices that are detrimental to the future of the Commonwealth and its citizens.

In the last year, Massachusetts has passed the largest corporate tax increase ever, increased taxes on cigarettes as well as proposed new taxes on candy, soda and alcohol. Just last week, Governor Patrick floated the idea of a 27 cent gas tax increase.

While we applaud the Governor for offering incentives to those people who purchase more energy efficient vehicles, we are disappointed that he seeks to penalize those who need bigger vehicles. Small business owners often rely on trucks and sport utility vehicles. Instituting yet another new tax would be one more obstacle to the survival of small business in Massachusetts.

What's next, a tax on breathing?

Telegram & Gazette Calls Rules Debate "Phantom Reform"

During last week's rules debate, Republican Lawmakers in the House proposed more than a dozen amendments that would have provided greater transparency and held each elected official accountable for his or her actions. However, one by one, all amendments with the exception of a couple, were shot down.

The Telegram & Gazette's editorial page saw the proposed rules changes as an opportunity for real reform.

Click here to see why the T&G is calling last week's efforts "Phantom Reform."