Cut State Taxes Now [OPINION]

For the second consecutive year, Massachusetts has completed the fiscal year with a surplus of more than a billion dollars. The money belongs to the people. Give it back to them.

State Revenue officials say during the fiscal year that ended June 30, the state collected $29.7 billion in taxes, exceeding projections by more than $1 billion. The tax haul was up nearly seven percent over the previous fiscal year, which also finished a billion dollars in the black.

With all of this extra cash floating around, you would think the politicians on Beacon Hill would be clamoring for ways to reduce your tax burden, but just the opposite is true. They are looking for ways to increase your taxes. In fact, the House voted unanimously last week to borrow almost $2 billion to fund climate change grants.

In addition, Governor Charlie Baker just signed a record $43 billion budget into law on Wednesday without vetoing a single spending initiative. Not one. Speaker DeLeo says it's the first time he ever remembers that happening.

When Massachusetts collects $2 billion extra over two fiscal years, taxpayers deserve relief. Baker and the Democrat-controlled legislature should abandon all plans for tax increases and immediately enact a tax cut. Give the money back to the people. It belongs to them.

Not one penny more should be collected in new taxes while Massachusetts is hauling in record amounts of loot. And since we are hauling in record amounts of loot, all taxpayers deserve a tax cut. Give the people back their money. Read our lips: NO NEW TAXES!

P.S.– Governor Baker and our legislative delegation will be in New Bedford this evening for the 6 p.m. opening ceremonies for the Feast. I'm sure they'd love to hear from you on this.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.