Representative Don Humason



For Immediate Release 2/26/09 REPUBLICANS DECLARE TAX BURDEN CRUSHING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES Tax Increases No Substitution for Reform Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, joined Republican lawmakers from both the House and Senate during a State House press conference this afternoon to express frustration and disappointment with Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed tax increases on residents and businesses. “I cannot in good faith ask, nor can I justify asking taxpayers to fork over even more of their hard earned dollars to support Governor Patrick’s misplaced priorities,” said Humason. “In the last year alone, the Democrats, over the objections of the Republicans, have passed the largest corporate tax increase in history, raised the cigarette tax and proposed a slew of other revenue increases. Enough is enough! We are tired of their argument that increasing the gas tax or hiking the toll fees are our only solutions. That is a fallacy and one we are here to refute.” Along with the Republican elected officials, Peter Christie of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and gas station owner Arthur Pappas were there explaining to the press exactly why their industries are struggling to stay afloat. For example, Governor Patrick has proposed a sales tax on candy, soda, alcohol, meals, and hotel stays. For those of us who represent communities within close proximity to other states, all we will see is decreased tax revenues and small businesses closing as Massachusetts residents flee to cheaper states. “With so many companies and retail operations struggling, raising retail taxes to cover any state budget shortfalls is the last thing we should be thinking about,” Humason asserted. “The only ones making out are the businesses in surrounding states.” “It is time to roll up our sleeves and make the hard choices. Increasing taxes is easy, it is a quick fix, but no longer can our residents and small business owners afford quick fixes. They deserve long term solutions and our caucus is offering sound alternatives and we hope our counterparts in the House will start considering them,” Humason added. * * * Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803. Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366. Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org
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For Immediate Release
2/26/09

REPUBLICANS DECLARE TAX BURDEN CRUSHING RESIDENTS

AND BUSINESSES

Tax Increases No Substitution for Reform

Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, joined Republican lawmakers from both the House and Senate during a State House press conference this afternoon to express frustration and disappointment with Governor Deval Patrick’s proposed tax increases on residents and businesses.

“I cannot in good faith ask, nor can I justify asking taxpayers to fork over even more of their hard earned dollars to support Governor Patrick’s misplaced priorities,” said Humason. “In the last year alone, the Democrats, over the objections of the Republicans, have passed the largest corporate tax increase in history, raised the cigarette tax and proposed a slew of other revenue increases. Enough is enough! We are tired of their argument that increasing the gas tax or hiking the toll fees are our only solutions. That is a fallacy and one we are here to refute.”

Along with the Republican elected officials, Peter Christie of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and gas station owner Arthur Pappas were there explaining to the press exactly why their industries are struggling to stay afloat.

For example, Governor Patrick has proposed a sales tax on candy, soda, alcohol, meals, and hotel stays. For those of us who represent communities within close proximity to other states, all we will see is decreased tax revenues and small businesses closing as Massachusetts residents flee to cheaper states.

“With so many companies and retail operations struggling, raising retail taxes to cover any state budget shortfalls is the last thing we should be thinking about,” Humason asserted. “The only ones making out are the businesses in surrounding states.”

“It is time to roll up our sleeves and make the hard choices. Increasing taxes is easy, it is a quick fix, but no longer can our residents and small business owners afford quick fixes. They deserve long term solutions and our caucus is offering sound alternatives and we hope our counterparts in the House will start considering them,” Humason added.

* * *

Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org