Residents will vote in the primary Sept. 14 to choose the candidates who will represent each party in the general election. Voters not registered in any party can choose which party ballot they would like to fill.
With incumbent Barry Finegold running for state senate, the 17th Essex state representative seat representing two-thirds of Andover is open.
The Townsman asked each of the candidates in the 17th Essex race 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
Note: Frank Bonet (D) did not respond to a Townsman e-mail.
Pat Commane (D)
Tax-free weekend: YES
Increased sales tax: NO
Alcohol tax hike: YES
Lowering sales tax to 3: NO
In general, what are your opinions on the state's sales tax policy?
Commane: The state has faced unprecedented revenue shortfalls and have cut the overall state budget significantly. At this time, I am not in favor of reducing the sales tax to 3 percent as I believe it would have a very negative impact on state services including local aid. We must resist the temptation to gut core services that our fellow citizens depend on.
I was not supportive of the 6.25 increase. I would have sought alternative sources of revenue. However, as a 20-year state employee, I have seen waste and inefficiency throughout the system. I have a plan to initiate organizational audits to identify specific cuts to minimize this inefficiency, thereby saving taxpayers significant funds. I would like the tax rate to reflect the needs of the Commonwealth especially in this period of economic uncertainty. Next fiscal year budget will be particularly challenging as Federal stimulus funds will be exhausted.
Republicans
Sal Tabit (R)
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?
Tabit: Our state's current sales tax policy is anti-business, anti-job growth, and anti-consumer. The situation is amplified for those communities like Andover and Tewksbury that are so close to the border of other states that those states take advantage of our short-sightedness by either having sales taxes lower than our own, or no sales tax at all.
I believe that one of the ways towards a robust economy is implementing a sales tax policy that allows us to compete with border states, ensuring that Massachusetts residents spend their money in Massachusetts, creating jobs and revenue in the process. We only need to witness the lines out the doors of our retail establishments during the recent Massachusetts "tax holiday" weekend to understand that our current policy is foolish.
Paul Adams (R)
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?
Adams: The sales tax is a significant component of our crushing tax burden. Together with the state corporate income tax, the second highest in the nation, businesses face an overwhelming tax burden, which threatens their survival. These taxes are a drag on investment, increase unemployment, and drive companies to other states. If the rollback is approved by voters, I will fight to honor the people's will—something the legislature has purposefully avoided, even after the approval of numerous ballot initiatives this past decade. I actively fought to avert last year's 20 percent increase in the sales tax, new taxes on meals, hotel/motel stays and on alcohol. As your representative, I will fight for sensible tax policies that will once again make Massachusetts the engine of economic growth it was when we were a disciplined two-party state.
