Three Questions: 1 Vote Each

1. I would vote Yes on Question # 1. The sales tax adds on extra payment to alcoholic beverages purchased in the state. Like many other commodities, such as cigarettes and clothing, the government sees' such a widely purchased item as a source of revenue for the state treasury. The sales tax on alcoholic beverages may be a source for state government revenue, but there are other less important commodities that can be taxed in its place. This is particularly important as of right now, during an economic recession, we need to boost our states' economy above all else. Since New Hampshire has no sales tax on alcohol, many people go out of state instead to buy alcohol instead of buying in Massachusetts. Because of this, we are losing an important way of helping business' in our state to improve our local economy and to erode the recession.

2. I would vote No on Question # 2. The current state law in question is charged with building government subsidized housing for low income people and families. A zoning board of appeals asks a community or town for a building permit in order to start construction on a house. The ZBA seems to be an established organization, which already has strict impositions on it. It may not issue a building permit without the consent of the permit, and if a community finds fault with the ZBA's handling of the construction or other matters, it may appeal to the Housing Appeals Committee. As discussed in class today, it is sensible to spread poverty throughout the state evenly, and not just center it in one area. An area of poverty will only lead to an increase of the vices usually associated with poverty, notably crime, which may then spread to neighboring communities. This is already what communities who do not want low income housing fear the most, and it will most likely occur if the law is repealed. A repeal of this law and the organization responsible for carrying out it's duties is unnecessary and will do more harm than good.

3. I would vote Yes on Question # 3. The new law would reduce our state's sales tax from a rate of 6.25% to only 3%.  A reduction in the state sales tax is necessary during these hard economic times. A reduction in taxes is helpful in bolstering small business at a time when such business' need them the most. Raising taxes is never the correct solution to dealing with an economic crisis, especially since this nation is in the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, if not in recent memory.  As with # 1, we have to invest in business throughout the state if we are ever to get out of this recession. The success of business and the private sector is always what has brought the United States out of it's worst economic woes. A reduction would also not be harmful to the state's revenue. The state already has a supply of wealth from property and excise tax, both which will make up for the reduction. We do not require any more unreasonable taxes on basic commodities, which are the key to economic revival. The availability of more consumer items will stimulate the state and benefit us more in the long run than keeping the current sales tax.