Issue Position: The 5% Rule

Issue Position

10 Years ago Massachusetts had record surpluses. What happened to them? The state government continued to grow and when our structural deficit hit, even before the current recession, the state began balancing the budget on Rainy Day funds. That's how we got into the mess we're in now.

I want to introduce what I am calling the 5% Rule. The 5% Rule is that state government can and should be able to rule this Commonwealth on a 5% tax on income and a 5% sales tax. I support returning the state sales and income taxes to 5%. I believe we must address the structural deficit that exists within the state budget by the guiding principle of "Reform before Revenue."

The message is simple, my grandfather used to always say "if you don't have the money, don't buy it." I acknowledge that there is a place for managed debt and bonded obligations, but the general principle that we can't have everything has gotten away from legislators on Beacon Hill. Transportation and Economic development reform were steps in the right direction, now we must look for efficiencies in all state services.

Source