Senator Tarr’s Statement on the Senate Repealing the “Tech Tax”

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today following the passage of H.3662, “An Act repealing the computer and software services tax” by the members of the Massachusetts Senate by a roll call vote of 38-0:

“Thanks to a unanimous vote, the tech tax is further on its way to extinction.  Senate Republicans have never wavered in our opposition to this destructive revenue measure, and we welcome our colleagues to the effort to repeal it.  With the tax moving closer to defeat, we have a prime opportunity to insist on reform, accountability, and savings before further burdening taxpayers.  The time is now to change course, and focus on needed economic growth before it’s too late.”

Senator Tarr’s Statement on the House Repealing the “Tech Tax”

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today following the passage of H.3662, “An Act repealing the computer and software services tax” by the members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives:

“Today the House has taken pivotal action to strike an ill-advised tax that has the potential to seriously harm our economic recovery from a long and deep recession.  Thanks in large part to the leadership of House Republicans and their steadfast opposition to the technology tax, a necessary correction is taking shape on Beacon Hill, and I look forward to swift action by the Senate to confront and eliminate this measure.”

Senator Tarr’s Statement on Massachusetts’ August Unemployment Rate Figures

Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) released the following statement today regarding Massachusetts’ August unemployment rate of 7.2%:

“The unemployment figures released today show a stagnating economic recovery and prove that we have a lot of work to do to create the jobs people need.  Rather than passing new taxes on the technology sector, we need to attack the costs that stand in the way of creating jobs, like unemployment insurance, health care, and energy.”

Happy Constitution Day!

 

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.” – President George Washington

 

On this day in 1787 the United States Constitution was signed into law during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.  America’s constitution was the first of its kind, governing the basic rights of all men and women, and has been the source of influence for several constitutions later adopted by other countries.

Yom Kippur Message from Senator Tarr

I would like to wish all of my Jewish friends, constituents, and the community an easy fast tonight as you observe Yom Kippur. "G'mar Chatimah Tovah!"

MEDIA ALERT: 'Broadside' with Jim Braude

Tonight at 6:00 p.m., House Minority Leader Brad Jones and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr will be featured guests on NECN’s “Broadside” with host Jim Braude. They will be discussing the technology tax that the legislature implemented in late July, and their latest efforts to repeal it.

Broadside re-airs at 8:00 p.m., and then again at 3:30 a.m.

House and Senate Minority Leaders' Statement on Democrats' Technology Tax About-Face

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) and Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester) issued the following statement today in response to Democratic Leadership’s support of repealing the technology tax:

“For close to six months, House and Senate Republicans have been warning the technology industry, general public, and our colleagues across the aisle of the disastrous effects of a tax on the computer software industry. Our warnings were not heeded, and the Democratic-majority green lighted the largest and broadest tax on computer and software services in the nation.

Today’s about-face is a clear indication that our Democratic colleagues finally understand how reckless and destructive it is to tax one of our state’s most profitable sectors.

We urge the Speaker and Senate President to immediately consider legislation filed by the House and Senate Republican caucus which would repeal the misguided and destructive revenue measure – without replacing it with a new revenue source.”

Remembering September 11th

 

With heavy hearts Americans remember the 12^th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center by the terrorist group al-Qaeda, and the one year anniversary of the assault on a U.S. Diplomatic Station in Benghazi that resulted in the deaths of four Americans including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, and Winchester, Massachusetts native Glen Anthony Doherty.

 

On September 11, 2001 nearly 3,000 victims lost their lives, while thousands more continue to be inflicted with long-lasting health problems due to the cowardly actions of those terrorists.  The tragic events of September 11th and the Benghazi assault continue to be felt today, and it is my hope that future generations are taught that while under attack America stood tall, did not waver, and confronted an enemy that sought so desperately to rid the world of the ideals of democracy.

 

Together we are a proud nation of people from many different origins, and this country’s greatest strength is our willingness to unite, especially during troubled times.  With the passage of this day, may we all take a few moments to remember those we lost on the September 11th highjackings, the assault in Benghazi, those who perished while fighting the War on Terrorism, and the many military and civilian personnel who continue to protect this great nation. May we never forget the events of those fateful days.

Republican Legislators Unleash New Effort to Repeal Technology Tax

Today, Republican legislators from both the House and Senate Caucuses unveiled legislation to repeal the Democrat-approved job killing computer services tax.  The legislative measure, which contains the same language as the ballot question recently approved by Attorney General Martha Coakley, is just the latest effort the minority party has put forth in eliminating this unprecedented tax.

Announced during a press conference at Genuine Interactive, a leading interactive agency, the proposed bill puts forth a targeted approach to repealing the largest and broadest tax on computer and software services in the nation.

“We can’t afford to penalize innovation and job creation in one of the state’s most promising sectors if we hope to have the kind of robust economic recovery that creates the jobs people need and the tax revenue state government depends on,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).  “The time is now to change course from increasing taxes on productivity and focus on creating a climate for job growth and reform and efficiency in our state’s operations.”

The filing of legislation comes on the heels of the Massachusetts House and Senate Republican Caucus’ statewide 2013 Technology Tax Business Roundtables. The weeklong series of roundtable discussions conducted by Republican lawmakers included conversations with technology industry professionals and representatives from area chambers of commerce about the negative effects of the technology tax. The roundtable discussions were initiated due to the fact that Democratic leadership did not provide a public hearing to solicit public testimony from those affected by the tax on software and computer services.

“Since this reckless tax on the technology industry was approved, we have seen a steady decline in business confidence within Massachusetts,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “There remains absolutely no appetite for this tax, and it continues to hurt the economic prospects for one of our state’s most vibrant and prosperous trades, as well as other industries who are suffering from the trickle-down effect of this careless revenue mechanism. The way to encourage growth and development within the Commonwealth is not through ill-conceived taxes, but through business-friendly directives and initiatives.”

Republican lawmakers highlighted the fact that the Commonwealth does not collect taxes on any other service, and expressed fear that the computer services tax sets a dangerous precedent for future efforts to tax other vital services. Furthermore, House and Senate Republicans had each offered revenue-neutral proposals, which if passed, would have avoided the implementation of the technology tax. Industry leaders such as the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation and the Massachusetts High Technology Council have repeatedly warned of the destructive nature of the new tax which is slated to stifle the high-tech industry by close to $500 million a year.

“Genuine Interactive started off as a four person agency in 2005 and since then, it's grown to a 100 person company,” said John Grayson, Chief Executive Officer of Genuine. “This tax on technology services is negatively impacting the business and is threatening the future of the entire technology and innovation industry. Out-of-state vendors are seeing this as an opportunity to attract businesses away from Massachusetts and that is going to affect the overall economy of the Commonwealth. In a market where work is already being outsourced to other countries, this puts yet another burden on the technology economy in Massachusetts.”

Having been filed in both the House and Senate, the joint legislation awaits assignment to a legislative committee.

A Rosh Hashanah Message from Senator Tarr

With the sacred Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah having commenced last night, I would like to wish all of my Jewish friends, constituents, and the community peace, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. L’ Shanah Tovah!