I’ve recently received some correspondence along the following lines: Dear Senator William Brownsberger: Please vote no on an ACROSS THE BOARD tobacco tax increase. Smokeless tobacco does not pose the same health threats and general repugnancy as do cigarettes (with the exception of spittoons as ground litter.). Cigarette smoke affects lungs(aerobic fitness potential, etc.), nearby …
Taxes
It's time for an excise tax on Bikes.
Other States are implementing them on sales of bikes over $499. A 10% sales tax should add a few million to the coffers and offset some of the cost of adding bike lanes. There should be no more free rides seeing the significant costs that motorist are bearing (gas tax, tolls, insurance, excise tax, and …
New Revenue for Education
There is an active email and call campaign going on in support of the Governor’s revenue package and also a related bill (from “the Campaign for our Communities”) that would also increase the income tax rate. A sample email appears further below. I am personally willing to support any package that will yield funding for …
New information about the Governor’s tax package.
The Governor has rolled out a very useful tool for understanding the moving parts in his tax package
Governor expands the options
Last week, the Governor proposed a substantial income tax rate increase, and so focused political attention — positive and negative — on that simple and controversial proposition. In fact, however, he placed before the legislature a broad package which raises three major questions: First, should we make a substantial increase in spending on our transportation …
Governor’s Tax Plan
We’re just getting started in the budget process and we’ll all carefully study the options. Read the Governor’s revenue plan here. Read a summary of recent cost-control and fiscal responsibility measures here. This morning, I offered this comment to a journalist asking my views on the plan. Like most legislators and most careful observers, and …