I would ask voters: what do you value most about your community? Is it the education your kids receive in our schools? Is it the availability of Bare Hill Pond or the programs at the public library? How about the in-home health care that your parent receives? All of these services are funded in part or in whole by state revenues.
Those of us who depend on good schools, responsive fire stations and clean drinking water may soon see these services reduced in quality and services. Maintenance of our roads, health care for our children and our elders, and food and shelter for the homeless may all be restricted. Why? Because of Question 3.
Question 3 on the November ballot would reduce the state sales tax from 6.25 to 3 percent. This loss of revenue would amount to $1 billion in this fiscal year and $2.5 billion in the coming fiscal year. Given the projected $2 billion shortfall without passage of Question 3, the total budget gap for fiscal 2012 would be $4.5 billion.
Severe budget cuts have already been implemented for many state services, including elder home care, local aid to cities and towns, operation of the jails and courts, maintenance of parks and beaches, mental health services, and much more. Many programs and organizations that receive state funding are on the brink of closure.
Currently, roughly half of Massachusetts voters support passage of Question 3. Many people are struggling with loss of employment, mortgage foreclosure, and other personal financial crises. In such times, a tax cut may seem like good policy. But do not think that Question 3 will not drastically alter the ability of the state and local government to care for vulnerable individuals. The ripple effect of the required budget cuts will result in reduced employment, close many small businesses, eliminate care for the ill, disabled, and elderly, and increase school class size. Ironically, it may also result in increased property taxes to offset some of these losses.
For our kids, our community and our own future, I urge people to vote no on Question 3.
Deborah Thomson
Poor Farm Road
