“The Fiscal Year 2014 state budget approved by the House and Senate today and sent to Governor Patrick responds to many important spending priorities, and yet represents a substantial increase in state spending over the current fiscal year.
That
increase in turn is dependent on major tax increases that will have a real
impact on individuals, families and employers struggling to balance household
budgets and create jobs and economic growth.
A gas tax increase that grows with inflation will be a continuing burden
for drivers, and a new tax on computer and software services threatens to
obstruct the growth of one of our most promising sectors, sending jobs to our
competitor states.
Amidst
major increases in spending and taxes, important reforms remain incomplete or
undone in areas such as our welfare system, health care costs, procurement and
transportation.
The focus
of the budget should not be limited solely to spending, but to real priorities
like implementing cost savings and helping employers create jobs. With unemployment rising and reports that the
economic recovery is stalling, we should not be creating major obstacles to
economic growth.”
