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by Mark_Ockerbloom from Dedham

Last Post 1 day, 11 hours Ago


If ever there was a time when a sales tax holiday was needed it's now... and now we learn we may not have one this year? People are seriously hurting financially and the sales tax holiday would be a welcomed and badly-needed financial break. Last August, the two-day holiday saved consumers $15.9 million in taxes! But House Speaker Sal DiMasi told the Cape Cod Times that it is unlikely the House will waive the 5% sales tax like it's done for the past four years, because the state simply can't afford it. Okay, then how about a compromise... say one tax-free day instead of two? Senate President Therese Murray is still on board with the two-day holiday and here's hoping her voice is heard. If not, get ready to head to New Hampshire where every day is a sales tax holiday.

What do you think?
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Member Comments Total Comments: 27
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legendkiller34 read my blog
Jun 22, 2008 | 5:22 PM

Mark,
Big Sal has done it again,
it was a few days ago that his group voted to get him and all his "ring kissing" cronies their 70% pay raise.
However Big Sal and his Underlings came out and said" WE CAN'T DO THIS TO THE PEOPLE OF MASS."
However under his breath waht wasn't picked up was" we're gonna get this raise out of all of you one way or another"
This is one of his ways, by "stiffing "the honest hard-working tax-payers who are just barely making ends meet.

Happyg read my blog
Jun 22, 2008 | 6:36 PM

Mark, I'm surprised this is even an issue. When Deval was elected the "prolotariate" of Massachusetts ceded all rights and demanded that we try "socialism" as our form of government. Thus far, what we have seen is a concerted effort to convince the masses that the state "needs" more resources to "dole" out to those "less fortunate". All this takes money. Lots and lots of money. But they'll only exploit the rich. Unfortunately, in the mind of a socialist, anyone with a job, "is" rich.

fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 6:45 PM

Ock, I bet when those dog days of August roll along, DiMasi will have a change of heart. I think he'll get some bipartisan nudging.

bostonRenee read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 10:14 PM

With the economy in a slump it would be great to have a tax free day especially with hard times money wise for many people to save that extra taxes would help so many people.

brianOFbeverly
Jun 22, 2008 | 10:18 PM

dont we pay enough money in gas prices? i mean president bush and his war messed up the economy the least they can do is cut us all a break

southendjohn read my blog
Jun 22, 2008 | 10:22 PM

- unless you're buying a real big ticket item, the savings are small. And if you're buying a big ticket, you're probably just putting off a sale anyway, so you're not stimulating the economy, which was the point of the tax holiday... I enjoyed it while we had it (and saved money on new computers)...

Jeffmcc read my blog
Jun 22, 2008 | 10:25 PM

If the State needs more Money Dont take away our tax holiday. I have 3 words MR SPEAKER, CASINOS! CASINOS! CASINOS!

JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 11:19 PM

How is this different from every other time they've told us to bend over? Haven't we always done it?? Why expect any different. They are planning to open those tolls back up in West Newton and you know what? They are going to. Because we complain, complain and complain TO EACH OTHER. Do they care about how much we are hurting? Ummm....NOPE! So we either take ACTION or SHUT UP.

Mark_Ockerbloom read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 11:36 PM

I mention driving to New Hampshire...but that may not be such a great idea. Depending on how far you have to drive, you may not be able to justify the savings when you factor in the cost of the gas!

fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 22, 2008 | 11:36 PM

Jeff, Can I add one more word? CASINOS!

Chip read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 5:44 AM

I'm already there everyweekend anyway....Duh-val and Sally haven't seen a dime of my sales tax money since they stepped in....

Life can be such a beautiful thing.

fenwaydav read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 6:14 AM

When I lived In Bedford and had Rt 3 1 mile from the house, It was in Nasuha every Sat. The Mall, Market Basket and the Liquor Store. I use to think what a wonderful idea to have the State run the Liquor store.

Happyg read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 6:58 AM

Is that what they told you Brian? You must have slept through the days following 9/11. Those attacks weren't just against our real estate, they were directly targeted against our US economy. Thank you Mr. President, for a job well done. A lesser man would have crumbled under the public pressure. A true leader accepts nothing less than victory.


brianOFbeverly
i mean president bush and his war messed up the economy the least they can do is cut us all a break

NorthernObserver read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 9:13 AM

If the people of Massachusetts want to save $.05 on a dollar spent, all they need to do is drive to New Hampshire and make their purchases.

Tax holidays are a political joke. They cost the taxpayers in lost revenue to pay for all those wasteful programs the legislatures have created. You may save a nickel on a dollar, but you will be taxed at the toll booth to pay for the lost revenue. The money has to come from somewhere and rest assured, it will.

ahumbleman read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 12:21 PM

If I didn't live 15 minutes from New Hampshire I might care more about this. As it is, the closest mall and most of the major retailers near me are all right over the border anyway, so that's where I shop.

tem123 read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 1:31 PM

I see a lot of Massachusetts plates up here anyhow...some of them in the parking lot at work. It really doesn't matter whether Massachusetts has a "tax holiday" or not. A lot of people do come to New Hampshire to shop anyhow. That's why I have to go further north to get rid of the major traffic and the drive is a lot more peaceful than fighting traffic.

Jenn_1973 read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 2:28 PM

The State is hurting too much?! Tell Deval to return his curtains, and go to ann& hope outlet like the rest of us. With gas being at an all time high and food prices skyrocketing I do believe they can't afford NOT to keep this 4 yr long tradition. As many people are not shopping period. Think of all the buisness taxes they will lose out on when they close due to economy! I like the idea of a 1 day compromise myself if it's that or nothing.

sirB read my blog
Jun 23, 2008 | 3:07 PM

Sal needs to make as many cut-backs as possible in order to get his pay raise. This happens to be one of them.

I live on the Methuen-Salem, NH line, so I do all my shopping there anyway, but I think it still sucks just the same.

nomorehacks read my blog view my photos
Jun 23, 2008 | 4:35 PM

No suprise here, Don't forget, We have to feed the "beast". This state government is so big, that there are more of them than us.

littlelam
Jun 23, 2008 | 5:53 PM

It blows my mind that Massachusetts can not afford a two day tax free holiday when we the people need it so badly ? however our state representatives are looking for raises that we can not afford ie: Deval Patrick etc.. going for the 175,000.00 per year pay check is that why our representatives are trying to put the tolls up on Mass pike to support the raises or is that why the state is denying people on disability who only make 15000 per year food stamps so that they can have raises?? where is the relief for the people who have worked so hard and put so much into our system?? Why not put tolls up on the NH boarder and start making them pay for utilizing our roads instead why double tax us so to speak?? It's time the people of this state get some sort of support

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Mark_Ockerbloom

I anchor the Fox 25 News at 5, 10 & 11pm and want to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Member Since: 10/17/2006