How predictable and sad that Rep. Lewis follows the progressive playbook by calling for additional "investments" (read tax increases) before even looking at any places that could use some reallocation of scarce resources. In our state, we already levy a not insignificant tax for road and bridge repairs, but the funds are used towards other projects instead of the intended needs. We just learned that over 50,000 individuals receive welfare benefits but are not entitled to them; Tens of millions of dollars are thus squandered, but the Beacon Hill gang is always looking to expand government revenues before looking at any costs savings. I would have been pleasantly surprised if Rep. Lewis called for structural and specific cuts before lining up behind Gov. Patrick's plans for increasing taxes and the size of government, but I should have known better. These issues were all vetted during our campaign, but the people made their decision. I hate to say it, but ... "I told you so...."

Obviously, George, you are ill-informed, but you still claim you know the facts. The facts are that Massachusetts boasts the HIGHEST average wage levels in the country. However, the high cost of living puts a damper on the State’s adjusted-average income, which is about $38,665, and places it in 6th position, out of 50. Not bad, if you ask me, but misinformed people like you always complain. Why don't you move to Mississippi or Louisiana and see how the "other half" lives?

Quasimodo, I may be ill informed of your "facts", but this is what I know for sure. Last year, I earned about $80,000.00 in my small law pratice. I paid over $25,000.00 in federal taxes, about $15,000.00 in state taxes (including self employment tax, my own social security), my real estate taxes totaled about $5,000.00, and by the time I get picked and pawed for fees, children's sports activities, and other items that used to be "free" in that they were part of the main taxes I pay, I walk away with less than half of what I earned. I just don't think that's fair. Now, you and your ilk feel that I am undertaxed. Why is that???? I feel that I am pushed beyond the breaking point and I have no incentive to really build my small business. That's the underlying problem that you and your side just don't understand or put on blinders not to see. You talk about averages, but look at the plurality of folks. This mentality of tax tax tax to cure our society's problems is not fair and not sustainable, because those who have the willingness to take risks are less likely to do so if they don't see the return. Don't lecture me about the "other half" where I work 80 hours a week and see about 50% of my income go out the door before I pay my mortgage, my groceries and my car payment. So, I may be "ill-informed" but I can do basic arithmetic. Your rant is offensive to me because you simply don't know my, or many others' situations. I bet you live off a tax free trust fund.....

Quasimodo, what do you think would be the fair amount to tax individuals at? What percentage of their income should be taxed in order to satisfy the public's needs for schools, roads, power, police, and fire? I am curious to see what YOU think a fair percentage should be.....

There are too many flaws in Patrick's & Lewis' arguments for increasing taxes on the already overburdened taxpaying workers in MA--certainly more than can be listed here. For starters however, the taxpayers have long ago "tightened their belts" & cut household budgets to fit their income, understanding that when the amount of money coming in goes down, so does the amount of money going out. Then somehow they have to find a way to restructure their spending habits. It's way past time for Beacon Hill to do the same. It's one thing to say we need to invest (spend taxpayers' money) in infrastructure, it's another to hit up the same working people & property owners to do that after they've watched the state neglect to track/end fraud & waste of prior tax dollars as happened with the EBT card fraud recently exposed by Rep. Shaunna O'Connell. Most people want their hard-earned $$ to benefit those truly in need trying to keep their families fed, clothed, & sheltered safely; not to buy cigarettes, tattoos, & have their nails done-or get cash from an ATM that winds up at a vacation spot in Florida. The per capita tax burden in MA is 4th in the nation, yet somehow it never seems enough for Beacon Hill. Our neighbors in New Hampshire have no income tax or sales tax, yet their infrastructure of roads & bridges seem to be well maintained. MA residents voted for a roll back to a 5% income tax rate years ago & it still hasn't happened-in fact, the governor continues to promote raising it.

What Patrick & legislators like Lewis don't seem to "get" is that the more they take from working MA taxpayers, the less those folks will have to spend & grow the economy, and the faster they will leave the state for greener pastures-states where there are lower taxes & where workers can keep more of what they've earned to spend in the economy, which is a boon to businesses & job growth, which in turn produces more workers & an even broader taxpaying base that will necessarily share in contributing to the state's economic growth as well as its obligations. US Census confirms that states with the highest taxes lose the highest number of residents--See: http://www.alec.org/docs/RSPS_5th_Edition.pdf. The payroll tax just went up hitting every working person, 17 new taxes in Obamacare kicked into play (including some not even related to health care like the 3.8% tax that folks will now pay when they sell their house). MA residents also pay taxes on sales, gas, meals, inheritance, property, & the list goes on; not to mention they're on the hook for approximately $24 BILLION in unfunded pension liabilities according to the Boston Business Journal. How much more do they need to sacrifice and pay before Beacon Hill learns to cut, monitor, & prioritize spending of other people's hard-earned money without coming back for more???

Such open minded inclusiveness, Quasimoto.... Tell everyone you disagree with to leave. You accuse Republicans and conservatives of being mean spirited, but I guess telling people who love the towns they grow up in is kind and generous... Why don't you just line us up and shoot us?

Sorry, meant to say "telling people who love the towns they grew up in to leave is kind and generous".... I can't type because Quasimoto's rude comments have already got my blood boiling.

Well, quisimodo, many of us in MA would like to fix the problems here caused by irresponsible legislators/politicians instead of abandoning our homes, families, friends, but you obviously don't get that. You apparently also believe it's OK to have your hard-earned dollars squandered instead of managed wisely--or maybe your "fair share" is on the taking end so you don't care. At any rate, when there's no more money to take from the workers/earners, there will be no more for the takers to get, so how does that bode for the state's future? Most people who really care about this state and others living in it want to find ways to ensure that their money is spent wisely the same way their own paychecks are in their own homes--and that includes giving those in real need a helping hand till they can get back on their feet--that's undeniably more helpful that your inept sarcasm that does nothing to address the state's glaring problems.

It's too bad Quasimodo you apparently have no desire to fix the many problems that exist in your home state as many others do--perhaps you haven't realized how bad they are yet. How sad you seem filled with sarcasm instead of enough understanding to realize how MA workers are being overburdened with taxes that are often wasted instead of responsibly tracked and utilized to take care of the truly needy & encourage employers to hire & expand the job market thereby not only building people's self-esteem, but also strengthening the economy in the state that MA residents call home--goodness that would immediately expand the tax base too, raising funds without bankrupting the few people still working in this still dismal economy. It's also too bad you don't seem to understand the importance of roots/family/friends & commitments that some MA residents who don't leave the state place above their frustration & discontent with the irresponsible policies that exist here; basically the reason (beyond their own individual interests) they choose to remain & try to correct problems & make life in their home state better/safer & more prosperous both now & for future generations to come. Perhaps you don't care about any of those things--and if that is the case, so be it--but that doesn't give you the right to scorn others who do. Some of us care enough about the well-being of our fellow MA residents to want the best policies and opportunities possible available to every one of them.

JT, pl. see my comment above to George. To which I would add that if you think the NH Representatives are made from a different mold than those in MA, that they are wiser and more honest, so no waste and fraud occur with the public funding (yes, there are many taxes in NH, starting with the exorbitant real estate tax), you must also believe in Santa Claus.

Quasimodo, I read your response to George before my comments--and thought they were rude and sarcastic. They also illustrate your inability to comprehend the problems that exist in our state, or answer a simple question like the one George asked regarding how much of one's hard-earned wages you think is a fair percentage to pay in taxes? Actually a better question might be, what would you do about a banker or an accountant who mismanaged your money--continue to use him/her, or fire that person and hire another? Or perhaps you wouldn't do anything because you might be accused of "complaining." As for NH legislators, I never compared their wisdom or honesty to those in MA, what I did do was say they've illustrated the ability to manage their state budget while maintaining their infrastructure better than MA has done to date without income or sales tax--not without property tax. What is far more important than all of that, is the fact that ALL states have a responsibility to manage their budgets in a manner that does not stifle an individual's ability to hold a job, provide for his/her family, and prosper--which in turn allows each of those individuals the opportunity to put more resources toward taxes for legitimate government expenditures, including infrastructure and people in need as well as toward the growth of the economy. Your continued refusal to see problems that need to be addressed and solved would seem to illustrate you are the one living in a fantasy world.

When the legislators demonstrate the desire and wherewithal to fix a system where abuse is rampant, maybe then hardworking residents will consider paying more in taxes. Patrick had shown no real impetus to correct his mistakes, or those of his appointees.

Observations by Quasimodo & his recall of "history" are flawed when he equates a democratic republic to a socialist regime w/the exception of the fact that there are always "bad apples" in every society. Fortunately, America's democratic republic gives us the opportunity to right the wrongs of politicians who misuse the responsibilities/trust constituents' placed in their hands by voting OUT irresponsible ones & voting IN more responsible ones. Educating all voters so they make wise choices in this respect is essential but not often easy. Folks must be aware of problems/issues and their consequences to form opinions about them, give input to legislators, and elect representatives who listen to them and correct badly formed and/or mismanaged policies--particularly when they hurt the very people they are supposed to help. This kind of dialog is crucial to our state's residents, businesses, and economic well-being--and is NOT, as Quasimodo labels it, "complaining." Discussion of Beacon Hill policies that are detrimental to individuals & stifling to businesses are the best way to find better solutions/policies that will allow MA residents & businesses to prosper--which can only help MA because when residents are able to use their hard-earned dollars to take care of themselves/their families & still have enough after paying taxes to put some money back into the state's economy, the amount of money available for responsible & necessary state obligations automatically rises.

I certainly did not equate a democratic republic with a socialist regime: I was not discussing the pluses and minuses of each form of government. You'd better learn to read correctly the English written words, not rely on your fantasies, prejudices, and just plain ignorance. Actually, a socialist political system DOES have elections where leaders are elected in and voted out of office. Our friends in present Europe are all social democracies, and believe me they all have contested elections, which in many instances make the "democratic" US elections a joke. I was only stating the obvious that all these types of government are the products of human beings, and therefore cannot avoid of becoming corrupt.

Quasimodo, perhaps you should re-read you own English words again. You wrote: "I write 'this society' but my observations are equally valid for a communist, a socialist, or any other type of regime, as History has shown." If you understood English as you suggest, you would realize that my comments agreed that other societies have "bad apples" or irresponsible legislators. I simply stated that voters here can address that situation by voting responsible people into office to make constructive change. My point was not that other countries couldn't do that--it was that informed voting was the crux of positive change. Perhaps you should also re-read all the posts here for content related to the Patch article before continuing to misinterpret and insult others who have legitimate concerns about overtaxing MA residents--whether you agree with them or not. BTW, you still haven't answered the question about exactly how much money (or what fair percentage) of one's hard-earned income you think would be fair for MA to tax its residents, yet you don't hesitate to criticize others about their comments on the issue. Your pathetic sarcasm indicates you have little respect for others' opinions--and it's obviously no longer worth most people's time to respond to you further.

JT, you know what they say, "neither irony nor sarcasm is argument." Unfortunately, anonymity brings out the worst in many, especially those who refuse to hear other arguments because they believe they, and they alone, are right. Informative discussion is impossible under these circumstances.

"Right on" linita.