Massachusetts has an enormous need for greater education and transportation funding. Question 1 is a chance to improve our schools and roads, without asking low-income and middle-class people to pay anything more.
In 2019, the state Legislature passed the Student Opportunity Act, a plan to increase funding to local schools so that every child can get a great education, no matter their ZIP code. The only catch, the bill didn’t come with funding for that plan.
Once the pandemic hit, the gaping issues with education inequality and poor roads, bridges and public transportation in our state became apparent. While federal aid has resulted in a short-term state budget surplus that’s helped us avoid major budget cuts, that funding is precarious at best and not permanent.
Now in 2022, we have an opportunity to create a permanent source of funding for education and transportation. The richest 1% of residents don’t pay their fair share of taxes. The rest of us pay a larger share of our income in state taxes than they do.
The Fair Share Amendment to our Constitution would increase taxes on income over $1 million, and raise $2 billion each year in funding that is constitutionally guaranteed to go to education and transportation, roads and bridges. By making this a constitutional amendment, funding is guaranteed and the funds would finally be available as they should have been for a long time.
With Question 1, we can fund the Student Opportunity Act, fix the 644 structurally deficient bridges across the state, and make our public colleges more affordable. And it is supported by over 350 organizations including 80 unions, 75 Massachusetts businesses and both houses of our state Legislature.
The Fair Share campaign is calling out the fear mongering and misleading claims made in the Voters Guide by the billionaire-funded campaign wanting to avoid paying taxes.
Point 1 (“Tax rates would nearly double for small business owners, farmers and homeowners”) is false.
Question 1 would fix an unfair tax system by making sure the 0.7% of taxpayers who make over $1 million per year finally pay their fair share. No one under that amount of income is affected. This is a tax on personal income. Business taxes are not affected, and no businesses’ revenue would be taxed. Less than 3% of business owners have personal income over $1 million. If a business owner is receiving over $1 million in annual profit from a business as personal income, it’s not really a small business. Paying their fair share gives back to help support the schools and roads we all depend on.
Point 2 (“One-time sales of homes would be taxed and deplete retirements”) is false.
When a property is sold only the gain is taxed. Last year, less than 1% of homes had enough gain to be taxed under Question 1: just 895 homes out of more than 100,000 sold statewide. And no one pays taxes on that entire gain. You can deduct $500,000 on the sale of your primary residence, and deduct the cost of major home improvements like a new roof or kitchen.
Point 3 (“This is the worst time for “massive” tax increases because of covid, inflation, and supply chain difficulties, especially when there is a state surplus”) is false.
A state surplus is a Band-Aid, and not guaranteed year to year. Relying on one-time revenues and short-term surpluses is the reason our schools and transportation infrastructure are in such a poor state. The superrich got richer during the pandemic, while the rest of us struggled. It’s time they pay their fair share.
Point 4 (“There is no guarantee that the revenue would be spent on education and transportation”) is wildly false.
Question 1 would create an ironclad constitutional amendment that the state Legislature is legally obligated to follow.
Question 1 is a win-win for all Massachusetts voters. Ninety-nine percent of us won’t pay a penny more but we will all benefit from better schools, colleges, roads, bridges, and transit. We’ll benefit from a better economy next year, and future generations will benefit for years to come. We would join a number of states that are securing this future.
Please vote “Yes” on Question 1.
Annette Pfannebecker is a retired teacher and homeowner in South Deerfield.