“State leaders have made it clear that they do not want to raise broad-based taxes this fiscal year. We agree that now is not the time to raise taxes on low and middle-income families and small businesses. As I’ve said time and again, we can and should raise taxes on wealthy households and profitable corporations that have done very well before and during this pandemic.
State leaders have done their job of balancing the budget by using one-time sources like our state’s Rainy Day Fund while at the same time trying to minimize cuts to services and give modest boosts where they can. But, while lots of little cuts might spread the pain of an under-resourced budget, this is not sustainable. Nor does it meet the extreme needs of our students trying to get an education during this pandemic; of renters and homeowners facing eviction or foreclosure; or of people who cannot put food on the table.
Let me be clear: funding services at last year’s levels is not a win. Keeping up with inflation is not a win.
Why, during this most dire time of need, would we choose to do the bare minimum for our communities? Isn’t this exactly the right time to step forward to show who we are as a Commonwealth and how we can come together for each other in the most difficult times?
A better budget is possible — one that allows every member of our Commonwealth to get through this crisis.”
