Why We Should Vote No on Question 1 by Lydia Lowe
Most voters know that November 4 will be the presidential election, but many have still not heard about an important question on the ballot. Question 1 on the November ballot is a binding referendum that asks us eliminate the 5.3 percent state income tax by 2010. This would result in elimination of $12.7 billion of state revenue, or about 40 percent of the state's budget.
In return, Question 1 proponents argue that voters will have extra money in their pockets. But only the wealthiest sector of taxpayers would stand to gain from this reckless proposal. The vast majority of working class families would save very little, while experts estimate that some key human services could be slashed by as much as 70 percent, since some parts of the state budget cannot be cut. Many Chinese immigrants are low-income and pay little or no state income tax, but do receive important state services that would be slashed or lost.
In fact, income tax is the most progressive way for government to raise revenue. Sales tax, the state lottery, and property tax place a higher burden on working families and the poor. But these taxes and other fees would need to be raised to make up for the loss of income if Question 1 goes through. Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bureau says Massachusetts residents pay less of their income for state and local public purposes than residents of 35 other states.
What are some of the services that we need from our state budget? State-funded health care, affordable housing, road maintenance, repair of school buildings, law enforcement, food inspection, workplace safety, care for troubled children, and much more.
State local aid funds also go to support city budgets, which pay for schools, public safety, street cleaning, trash removal, and other daily services.
When a similar question was on the ballot six years ago, 44 percent of voters voted in favor with very little campaigning. This year, many voters are angry at government because of the huge $700 billion bailout of the banks and lending institutions. But expressing our anger by eliminating the state income tax would only hurt our own communities more!
That is why a broad coalition of business, labor, civic and community groups is rallying to defeat the idea.
So, don't forget to vote on November 4th and vote NO on Question One, at the bottom of your ballot.
The polls will be open from 7 am to 8 pm. To find out your polling place, call CPA 617-357-4499 or go to www.wheredoivotema.com
為什麼要反對第1號公決議題 駱理德撰寫
大多數選民都會知道11月4日將是總統選舉，但許多人仍然沒有聽過在選票上，還有一個重要的公決議題。在11月的選票上，具約束力的第1 號公決議題，是要求我們作全民覆決投票，在2010年前，取消5.3%的麻州入息稅。這會導致麻州損失$127億的稅收，或相等於全州約40%的預算。
第1 號公決議題的擁護者爭辯說，作為回報，在選民的口袋將有額外的金錢。但是，只有最富裕的納稅人才會得益，去支持這個魯莽的提案。大多數工人階層家庭會省下很少，而專家估計，一些主要人文服務，可能會遭到多達70%的大幅度削減，因為在麻州預算中，有些部份是不可能削減的。許多低收入的華裔移民，他們支付很少稅金或未達課稅的標準，但將要接受因大幅度削減，而失去重要的麻州服務。
事實上，徵收入息稅是最進步的方式，為政府提高收入。銷售稅、麻州獎券和物業稅都給予工人家庭和貧困人士，帶來更高的負擔。如第1 號公決議題獲得通過，要補償州政府的收入損失，這些稅項和其他收費將會提高。此外，美國人口調查局認為，麻州居民比其他35個州的居民，所支付用作州府及地區公共用途的入息稅，較其他35個州的居民為低。
在麻州預算中，我們所需要的一些服務是什麼？麻州撥款的醫療保健計劃、可負擔房屋、道路保養、學校維修、治安、食品檢驗、職場安全、問題兒童照顧等。
州府支援城鎮預算的地方補助撥款，去支付學校、公安、清潔街道、傾倒垃圾和其他日常服務。
在 6 年前的選票上，曾有過類似的公決議題，在沒有多大的投票宣傳下，44% 的選民投了贊成票。今年，許多選民對政府表示憤怒，動用龐大的$7,000億，替銀行和借貸機構贖身。但是，用取消麻州入息稅，去表示我們的憤怒，只會更加損害我們自己的社區!
就因為這樣，商業、勞工、民事和社區組織，已組成廣泛的聯盟，集中力量，去擊敗這個取消麻州入息稅的提議。
所以，不要忘記在11月4日，在選票下面的第1 號公決議題，投反對（NO）票。
投票站會在上午 7 時至晚上 8 時開放。查找所屬投票站，可電華人前進會，電話﹕ 617-357-4499 或到訪 www.wheredoivotema.com 網址。
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