Boag's Platform on the Issues
CUT THE SALES TAX
I support cutting the sales tax in 2 steps. The first year to 4.5%. This is .5% lower than the 5% in place in 2009. The second year it would be cut to 3%
State tax receipts are up and more money will be generated by new casino and slot development. But projected state spending is projected to eat up all this money and more. Instead of spending money on new programs and increasing money to old programs the extra money should be used to lower taxes and secure local aid.
A lower sales tax will help local businesses compete with New Hampshire. It will also create jobs around the whole state because we will draw shoppers from the 5 bordering states that will have a higher sales tax than Massachusetts.
NO NEW TAXES, FEES, OR TOLLS
I oppose any increase in taxes.
Higher taxes should not be disguised as higher Registry of Motor Vehicles fees. People like barbers, electricians and home inspectors should not be forced to pay more for their professional licenses. Fees should only be used to cover the administrative cost of the service provided.
Massachusetts toll roads were paid for long ago. No further toll based bonds should be issued. When the current bonds are paid the tolls MUST come down. I oppose installing any new tolling systems such as open road tolling. This would require costs for installation that would likely never be recovered. Spending money on new tolling infrastructure would also make it easier to expand tolling to areas it does not currently exist like Routes 3, 93 and 495.
EXPAND THE DO NOT CALL LIST TO INCLUDE POLITICAL ROBOCALLS
The Massachusetts Do Not Call Registry does not cover political calls. This is another example of politicians writing laws that cover everyone but themselves.
Other states have begun regulating these calls. In New Hampshire people on the National Do Not Call Register cannot receive political robocalls. In California and other states a live operator must come on the line and the recipient must consent to hear the recording.
LOCAL AID MUST BE SECURE
Towns like Dracut and Tyngsborough must have secure sources of local aid.
Towns should not be forced to cut their budgets to protect higher state spending. Originally a fixed percentage of lottery receipts went to local aid. This practice should be resumed. A fixed percentage of new casino or slot machine money the state receives must also go to local aid. The state government must also look for other potential sources of money to share with local communities.
Cities like Boston and Somerville that turn away business development that would generate tax revenue should see their local aid reduced.
HEALTH INSURANCE COST INCREASES NEED TO BE SLOWED
The state budget cannot stand the growing strain of shifting most of the previously uninsured into the MassHealth program. The insurance reform program of 2006 needs to be reexamined. It has been in place long enough to see which elements work, which need adjusting and which need eliminating.
We need to encourage competition among health care providers so that a few networks do not drive up rates.
Mandatory coverage requirements should be lessened so people can get cheaper insurance that will cover them for serious procedures without having to buy coverage they are not likely to need.
ALLOW UNENROLLED VOTERS TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES OF BOTH PARTIES
Most voters in Massachusetts do not belong to either party. But when voting in primaries they are forced to select one party for which they are allowed to vote. This needs to be changed so they can vote for the best candidate regardless of party.
REQUIRE PHOTO ID FOR VOTERS AT ALL POLLING PLACES
REFORM STATE OPERATIONS
1.Eliminate per diems for state legislators.
2.Cap the maximum state pension at $100,000 per year.
3.End sick time buyback at retirement for state employees. This can be done immediately for managers. For employees covered by collective bargaining it can be done at the expiration of existing contracts.
REFORM 40B
Even though this law was not repealed in 2010 it still has elements that need to be fixed.
The current 40B affordable housing law needs to be overhauled. It has been on the books since 1969 and Massachusetts ranks near the bottom of the nation in affordable housing. Clearly the law is not working. In fact 80% of the homes in a 40B development do not have to meet the affordable criteria.
Inspector General Greg Sullivan has issued several reports critical of the law. In 2008 he reported developers were overstating costs to increase their profits. These manipulations may have cost cities and towns around the state as much as $100 million.
There are already numerous bills on file in the state legislature to reform this law. The legislative leadership is holding them up. Among the reforms awaiting action:
1.Crack down on developers who pocket excess profits
2.Cap project densities
3.Prevent construction of luxury condos under 40B
4.Give additional protection to wetlands and historic districts
STRENGTHEN PROTECTION AGAINST EMINENT DOMAIN
After the 2005 Kilo case 42 states passed laws expanding ownership protections against eminent domain takings. Massachusetts is one of the states that did not. Property should only be taken for public use. Taking property from one private owner and giving it to another is wrong.
In Kilo v. New London the Supreme Court expanded the government's right of eminent domain. It allowed the city to take private property from a private owner and give to another private party if it would produce more tax revenue.
Postscript: The drug company Pfizer was the main tenant in the development plan that led to the Kilo case. In 2009 the tax breaks the company received expired. The company closed its New London facility and moved to Groton Ct. The land where the Kilo's house had been was is an empty lot.
ILLEGAL ALIENS
Before people receive government benefits their citizenship or legal status should be verified. No illegal aliens should be receiving state subsidies.
Illegal aliens that are arrested should not be released on bail and should be turned over to immigration enforcement officials.
E-verify should be put in place for any private employer that receives state money.
STOP THE MBTA DEBT BINGE
The state transportation agency must concentrate on fixing our existing roads and bridges before expensive MBTA expansion programs. Currently the T is $5.5 billion in debt and still plans extravagant expansion. Currently they plan to extend commuter rail to Fall River and New Bedford. But the T's new financial plan would end weekend commuter rail, why build a railroad if you don't plan to use it? Another plan would expand the Blue Line 3000 feet to connect with the Red Line. In 1986 the projected cost was $95 million, today it is $867 million. If it is built do you think it will cost less than $867 million or more than $867 million?
PROTECT THE SECOND AMENDMENT
Law abiding citizens should be allowed firearm licenses.
Gun owners should not be subjected to punitive fees either to raise money for the state or as a way to limit gunowner rights.
ESTABLISH THE DEATH PENALTY FOR BRUTAL CRIMES
Sometimes the criminal justice system should put punishment above deterrence.
