patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Governor Unveils Online Tool Detailing Budget Effects on Communities

The tool includes a maps for transportation funding and educational funding for each legislative district.

 

In an effort to promote his $34.8 billion budget proposal, Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an online tool with 400 maps that shows what each legislative district would receive in education funding. 

This tool will help people see exactly what to expect in their own backyard as part of the investments we’ve proposed,” Patrick said. “Meaningful investments in education and transportation today will significantly improve our economic future both in the short term and for generations to come.”

There are two maps per district – one displaying transportation investments and one displaying education investments in each community.    

For example, according to the maps, North Andover would see a total of $683,204 in education spending increase and $4,148,658 over 10 years for transportation.

"Governor Patrick’s budget plan includes a $1 billion annual investment in the Commonwealth’s transportation system ... (and) includes a $550 million investment in education, reaching $1 billion over four years," an administration press release said. 

The budget proposal seeks to pay for this funding by increasing the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent and eliminating up to 44 tax deductions. To ease the burden of these increases, especially on lower-income families, it proposes reducing the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent and doubling personal exemptions. 

Related Topics: Deval Patrick

Bryan McGonigle2

9:04 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013

How much extra will North Andover citizens be paying for these "investments"? Why is the website silent on this? Shouldn't a benefit analysis also show costs? The Governor is trying to play us.

I'll throw some number out there. I estimate North Andover citizens/businesses will pay $9 million in extra income taxes and spend $300k less in sales taxes over the next ten years. The sales tax savings would normally be higher except North Andover is so close to zero sales tax New Hampshire.

Sending $8.7 million to the state for a $4.8 million dollar state "investment" makes no sense. Why call it an investment? It's as is they're forcing every income tax payer in North Andover to buy lottery tickets. Imagine how much worse the "investment" would be if some of the "investment" money is misspent?

The plan a total loser for North Andover.

Reply

Leave a comment