The Boston Globe: on Tax Reform

Sarah Palin: Elected mayor based on tax cut promise

Four years later, she was elected Wasilla’s mayor, knocking off three-term incumbent John Stein by promising tax cuts, spending reform, and a fresh face leading the city. Palin largely delivered on her promises.

Deval Patrick: Allow cities to raise local meals tax-trust local officials

The sharp disagreement occurred during a face-to-face meeting between the two men before a key constituency--local officials. ‘’I am not in favor of any additional tax burdens on the people of Massachusetts,“ Reilly told the local officials.

But Patrick said he would support increases on what are known as local-option taxes, saying they would help cities and towns manage their budgets without having to raise local property taxes. ‘’I’m interested in trusting you -- the local officials,“ Patrick said. ‘’I know what’s happening in your communities.”

Tom Reilly: Disallow cities to raise local meals taxes-no more burden

The sharp disagreement occurred during a face-to-face meeting between the two men before a key constituency--local officials. ‘’I am not in favor of any additional tax burdens on the people of Massachusetts,“ Reilly told the local officials.

But Patrick said he would support increases on what are known as local-option taxes, saying they would help cities and towns manage their budgets without having to raise local property taxes. ‘’I’m interested in trusting you -- the local officials,“ Patrick said. ‘’I know what’s happening in your communities.”

Robert Reich: Avoid raising taxes, but a pledge is irresponsible

Reich has said that he would consider raising the gas tax to pay for the Big Dig, and reinstating the state’s capital-gains tax as a way to make up for lost tax revenues.

Reich insisted yesterday his position has not changed. He said his statement on Fox TV was a quick response to a rapid-fire debate. Indeed, although pushed by Hannity, Reich refused to take a no-new taxes pledge. “In context, I would do everything in my power not to raise taxes,” Reich explained. “But it is irresponsible to take a pledge. I don’t want to send out a mixed message.” Reich said that taking a pledge not to raise taxes is “playing games with the public.”

Al Gore: Claim that every family is eligible for tax cut is unlikely

ANALYSIS: This statement is only true if every middle class family has children in day care or in college.

An accounting firm assessed how Gore’s proposals would affect hypothetical families, and their report found that the following would receive no tax breaks:
• Single person with no children earning $39,000
• Retired couple earning $59,000
• Single earner couple with two children earning $78,000

Al Gore: Claim that Bush benefits “top 1%” only true with estate tax

ANALYSIS: Gore uses a report by Citizens for Tax Justice, an advocacy organization whose mission includes “requiring the wealthy to pay their fair share.” CTJ says that 42.6% ($546B) of Bush’s tax cut would go to the top 1% income group, those who earn at least $319,000 annually. CTJ INCLUDES repeal of the estate tax, which they say will help the top 1% almost exclusively.

Gore has applied CTJ’s figure of 42.6% to the $1.3 trillion value that Bush gives his tax cut, and comes up with $546 billion in tax cuts for the wealthiest 1%. And he contrasts that with the roughly $475 billion in Bush’s spending initiatives. But if the estate tax is REMOVED from the equation, Bush’s tax cut falls to $1.06 trillion and CTJ says 30% of it goes to the wealthiest 1%. That totals $318 billion, about $157 billion less than Bush’s new spending initiatives.

Al Gore: $792B tax cut is a “risky tax scheme”