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Tax policy
The Townsman asked each of the candidates for the state senate seat representing Andover the following questions about the Massachusetts sales tax:
Do you support an annual tax-free weekend?
Do you support the recent increases in the state's sales tax?
Do you support the recent sales-tax increase on alcohol?
Do you support a citizen initiative to lower the sales tax rate from 6.25 percent to 3 percent?
Each of the candidates was then given up to 150 words to further elaborate and to answer the question "In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?"
DEMOCRATS
Jack Wilson (D)
Do you support...
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: NO
Alcohol tax hike: NO
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Wilson: The recent increase in the sales tax and new sales tax on alcohol are glaring examples of how out-of-touch the state legislature is with the families and businesses in this district. Our region has a difficult time competing with New Hampshire when times are good. It is inexcusable to increase taxes when consumers and businesses can least afford them. The recent tax holiday is not nearly enough. The state needs to move beyond gimmicks. We need to reduce the sales tax back to 5% and eliminate the sales tax on alcohol. We need to provide tax breaks to businesses that create jobs and expand the economic base. That's how the state should generate new revenues, not by over-taxing already over-burdened residents and businesses. The state budget has nearly tripled in just twenty years. Taxpayers deserve to know where that money is going before any tax increases are even considered.
Deb Silberstein (D)
Do you support...
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: NO
Alcohol tax hike: NO
Lowering sales tax to 3%: NO
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Silberstein: The recent vote to increase the state sales tax reflects an overall tax policy that is reactive, short-term, and influenced by a Beacon Hill culture that chooses band-aid solutions (such as taxes, over-regulation and delay) to serious long term structural problems. I am running to solve problems — and will work in the Senate to do just that. I oppose the sales tax increase because it:
is a regressive tax;
reduces the spending power of lower and middle income families;
hurts local businesses; and
in listening to people in this senate district—it is hurting them.
State government needs to become part of the solution by helping to create and then support a pro-jobs environment; making low cost start-up funds available, reducing capital gains tax for start-ups, and creating incentives for research, development, risk-taking, innovation and education. These are long term pro-small business, pro-growth and pro-jobs strategies.
Barry Finegold (D)
Do you support...
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: YES
Alcohol tax hike: NO
Lowering sales tax to 3%: NO
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Finegold: Difficult decisions need to be made during difficult times. Right now, we're experiencing one of the most difficult economic times in years. Unlike the federal government, the Commonwealth has a balanced-budget amendment and we cannot borrow our way out of this economic down turn. The budget was balanced through major cuts and increased revenue.
REPUBLICANS
Jamison Tomasek (R)
Do you support...
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: NO
Alcohol tax hike: NO
Lowering sales tax to 3%: UNDECIDED
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Tomasek: Sales tax policy in Massachusetts must recognize the state's proximity to other states and the ease with which people can cross borders to shop. Smaller establishments owned by members of our communities are less profitable and employ fewer workers. Larger stores, if their sales were higher, would have more jobs for workers who are young, less skilled, or need part time employment.
Last year's application of sales tax to alcoholic beverages was a mistake. Package stores, already competing with other states' beer outlets and with state-owned liquor super stores, were further disadvantaged by the sales tax, and sales have plummeted as a result.
Allowing local communities to individually raise the meal tax is a bad first step to shifting tax increases locally, while still maintaining high state sales tax levels. These local sales taxes will continue to rise and will potentially include additional local sales taxes on all items.
Patrick Rahilly (R)
Do you support...
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: NO
Alcohol tax hike: NO
Lowering sales tax to 3%: YES
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Rahilly: The sales tax policy is destructive to the border communities as well as the most economically vulnerable citizens. If you drive through any town in the Merrimack Valley that is within a 15 minute drive of New Hampshire, you will see a number of empty stores. In addition, there has been a sharp increase of sales in New Hampshire for a variety of products. If Question 3 fails, as your state senator I will fill legislation to eliminate the alcohol tax and reduce the sales tax to at least 5 percent.
Independent candidate - not on primary ballot, will be on general election ballot in November
Jodi Oberto (I)
Do you support...
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: NO
Alcohol tax hike: NO
Lowering sales tax to 3%: YES
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Oberto: It's inflationary, it's anti-business especially for border towns near
New Hampshire. It's counterproductive; people are traveling out of
state to shop in order to avoid the sales tax.
