8 Comments


  1. I’m a Mac user too, Eli! try using the Flip for Mac plug-INS for QuickTime Player (instead of the buggy WMV for Mac application): http://www.microsoft.com/mac/p

    Then, open the video in QuickTime.  

  2. liveandletlive

    At about 52:00 you were responding to this question:

    “…are there any changes you would make as to how the auditor’s office weighs in on pending legistlation and adresses the impact on of pending bills on cities and towns?”

    Your response was exactly what I was hoping to hear, but I have questions about this portion:

    “…we could lower overall taxes for everyone under $70,000

    if we just reverse the regressive taxes and actually had a dramatic increase in the exemptions the sales tax to make it really reflect 200% of the poverty lever, $24,000 per person, $7500 per child…”

    I personally transcribed this so it may not be entirely accurate.  My question is what exemption are you talking about?  The personal exemption we currently take at about $8,000 for married filing jointly? Is that the sales tax  exemption you are talking about?  If that’s the case, then increasing it to over $50,000 for a family of three would flood the middle working class with discretionary dollars and would have a huge impact on growth in our state. I think it’s an excellent idea, if that’s what you meant.  So my question is: is that what you meant?

    My other question is about lowering taxes for those making less than $70,000 a year.  I am hoping that our leaders will understand that even people earning up to $150,000 can struggle and live paycheck to paycheck, depending on where they live and what their healthcare and education expenses are.  So while I am absolutely for raising taxes on the highest incomes because that is where all the discretionary dollars are being hoarded right now, I’m hoping that there will be some relief even for those earning up to $150,000.  If not relief, than no increases.  My family doesn’t make anywhere near that much, we are closer to the $70,000 that you mention and we are pinched to the limit, have very few discretionary dollars during the year (whenever we do then some utility, healthcare or grocery cost increase goes into effect usually and takes it right away).  So I guess my question is:  Do you support raising taxes on families earning more than $70,000yr.

  3. michael horan

    There is no reason a family can’t live on 75k.

    Means you drive ONE old car. Means you buy a lot of your clothes at the thrift shops (and still look professional). Means you cut your own family’s hair and vice versa. You don’t go out, you don’t take meaningless vacations–but you obviously already know that.

    College tuition is, of course, the really murderous fly in the ointment. But U-Mass does a terrific job at funding those who can’t afford it.

    The idea that people making 150k are struggling is beyond the bounds of comprehension for me.  


  4. FInd it here: http://www.rappaportcenter.com

    or go to main site at http://www.rappaportcenter.com and click on Public Policy Programs, then click on Past Programs

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