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Full-Text Articles in Taxation-State and Local
Future Issues Facing Boston: The Assessing Department, Janet L. Hunkel
Future Issues Facing Boston: The Assessing Department, Janet L. Hunkel
John M. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies Publications
Taxpayers' opinions of municipal government often focus on the property tax. Taxpayers are stingy, and they are critical as to whether their money is purchasing competent services. For citizens to have faith that government is democratic, taxes must be equitable — everyone must pay their fair share. For government to function efficiently, tax administration must be efficient in order to support city services.
The property tax is a complex, difficult tax to administer; it is vulnerable to misuse. However, there have been recent, dramatic changes to the tax laws. Municipal government in Massachusetts now has the political and legal wherewithall …
Boston's Fiscal Future: Prognosis And Policy Options For 1984 To 1986, Joseph S. Slavet, Raymond G. Torto
Boston's Fiscal Future: Prognosis And Policy Options For 1984 To 1986, Joseph S. Slavet, Raymond G. Torto
John M. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies Publications
The finances of the City of Boston have been variously affected throughout its long history by regional and national economic cycles, by legal constraints and changes in the state-local tax system and by inter-municipal resource and expenditure disparities.
In more recent years, however, a series of tremors converged to propel Boston's seemingly chronic fiscal problem to the crisis stage. As inflation climbed to unprecedented double-digit levels, an overwhelming majority of the state's populace supported specific limits on property taxes, the primary source of municipal revenue. As a result, Boston was forced to reduce property tax levies by $144 million during …
The Massachusetts Fiscal System: Structure And Performance, Padraig O'Malley, Raymond G. Torto
The Massachusetts Fiscal System: Structure And Performance, Padraig O'Malley, Raymond G. Torto
Center for Studies in Policy and the Public Interest Publications
On November 4, 1980 the citizens of Massachusetts, by a vote of 59% to 41%, resoundingly endorsed a tax reduction plan known as Proposition 2 1/2. All communities in the Commonwealth were faced with an immediate reduction in their local revenues due to the immediate cut in the excise tax that Proposition 2 1/2 called for, and up to 130 communities will have to implement a 15% reduction in their tax levies for FY 1982.
Already there are protestations from many local officials that they cannot make the required tax cuts without severely reducing the level of local services. The …
A Fact Book On Proposition 2 1/2, Padraig O'Malley
A Fact Book On Proposition 2 1/2, Padraig O'Malley
Center for Studies in Policy and the Public Interest Publications
In this age of inflation many tax reduction plans have been proposed throughout the nation. This November Massachusetts voters will vote on Proposition 2 1/2 - a tax reduction proposal sponsored by a coalition of citizens.
This booklet describes the costs and benefits of Proposition 2 1/2 in an objective way, so that you can make an informed decision when you cast your vote. The University of Massachusetts' Center for Studies in Policy and the Public Interest and the Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service believe that when you have access to unbiased information you will make better decisions and participate more …