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It’s override season in Massachusetts, a time when many voters will decide whether to approve tax increases above the two and a half percent allowed by state law. But this year the override debates are especially divisive — in large part because of the sluggish economy.
Some communities are resorting to shutting down schools for a half day each week, or having unstructured study halls in school cafeterias, some library hours have been curtailed and there have been cuts in public safety and public works.
But many residents say if they have to tighten their belts, their communities should too. Join Radio Boston as we look at the override debate in some cities and towns and ask — isn’t there a better way to pay for municipal services?
Radio Boston’s David Boeri talked with Newton Mayor David Cohen, who’s town is looking for a 12 million dollar override vote, the highest in the state.
Some Newton residents balk at that amount considering the town’s current over budget construction of a new high school with a pricetag of nearly 200 million dollars.
Now that the ground has thawed let’s go on an archaeological dig. What are some of the latest big local discoveries? What do historical artifacts teach us about our past?
Finally, somebody said it - we need to raise the income tax. It is progressive in that it is linked to ability to pay, it is effective, and we have to use it to replace our dependency on property taxes. Paul Cellucci, who couldn’t balance his own checkbook, set 5% as an ideal income tax rate. He lied. We need 6-7% to pay our bills.
While overrides are often criticized as only a temporary fix, they help to insure that children who attend local public schools gain needed educational services during the critical they are growing and developing as learners. OVerrides also buy time…time for the citizens of the town, the state, and our nation to develop better ways to fund education.
If one believes in public education-that society as a whole benefits from an educated public- then one must accept the responsibility that accompanies a commitment to that belief, both morally and financially.
Also, the intent of prop 2-1/2 was not to permanently restrict any future, yearly property tax increase to 2-1/2% or less, rather it was to allow the public to be able to pick and choose for themselves when and for what purpose a permanent property tax increase shall be warranted.
Additionally, the whole paradigm of today’s public education has changed over the past 30 years. Technological studies are an expensive requirement. There is also the issue of unfunded mandates, which includes the high cost of appropriately educating our physically and cognitively challenged. Then throw in the rising costs of items like insurance and heat. The costs associated with these things are not subject to a 2-1/2% yearly cap, nonetheless, they must be met. Canton has cut and cut and cut, but we are now at the bone. Take a look at surrounding towns and see for yourself the results of the choices each has made when in the situation similar to that in which we now find ourselves. In which of these directions would you like to lead the town of Canton?
David sent us this email:
Most town budgets go up because of general inflation and
increases in health insurance costs. We usually just take the increasing cost of health insurance as a given, part of our broad economic climate. Why are health care costs going up so much faster than everything else? I suspect it’s rooted in the rising costs of drugs. Why do we accept these increasing costs without looking into it further? Why are we paying so much for health care and getting
such poor results?