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Tax-free weekend approved!
By cynical on Thu, 07/26/2007 - 4:08pm
Hot off the newswires:
I just called my state senator's office to see if there was any news on the issue of a tax-free weekend in Massachusetts this year, an issue that was reported on last week and seemed to gain steam for all of about five minutes. I figured it couldn't hurt to register my support for doing it again after several successful years, especially since I'm shopping for new living room furniture. ;-P Well, Senator Petrucelli's office informed me that the vote passed (today, I think) and Massachusetts will waive sales tax on purchases of most items under $2,500 on August 11 & 12.
I don't see it mentioned online anywhere yet. Anyone else have confirmation?
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Comments
I never got the big deal on
I never got the big deal on these...
You really don't save that much giving up a lousy 5% which you can only use on smaller purchases.
It takes away a shitload of revenue from the state, and with our cutting programs and shitty red tape bureaucracy, it needs it.
And it's a handout to retailers who do a shitload better with Aug sales from the millions of the "derrr, we can save $5 on $100, duh" shoppers.
I'm seeing individual citizens getting a minimal deal upfront, and horrible deal collectively for the commonwealth, as the big CO's get another handout (like they don't get enough).
If they wanted to drive sales, why don't the retailers institute the tax free day, and lower their good by 5%, then make up the difference in higher sales?
Do we even need to ask why they should be doing this when the MBTA is tied to sales tax revenue? ahem...
Best for bigger purchases
I see what you're saying, but I still appreciate the "holiday". 5% isn't worth much on a $100 purchase, to be sure, but if I buy an $1800 sofa and a $500 chair and a $200 ottoman, I've saved enough to pay for 2/3 of the ottoman. (Hey, that's practically free!) Given that I was seriously considering buying furniture from a New Hampshire retailer, my purchases on a tax-free day in MA won't take a penny away from Bay State revenues and could (in concert with other people's spending) give a boost to otherwise lagging retail sales in the Commonwealth.
Two Ways to Save
Saving #1: I'm going to buy a whole lot of cabinets, flooring, etc. for my kitchen.
Saving #2: I won't have to buy the gas to make 2-3 trips to Nausea to save the tax (worth the trip in this case).
It isn't for the shoppers
Helping retailers is the point of the tax holiday - it isn't for the shoppers. It started to boost the economy during slow times because like you said it got people to spend money thinking they were getting a great deal.
Now on boston.com
The story is now being reported on boston.com.
we pay enough money in taxes
we pay enough money in taxes already (sorry comrades). we could fund these programs by forcing people who are extremely fit and healthy to stop stealing state aid and go to work. i know a great number of people who are young, fit and able who collect checks and food stamps - just because they can. before you line up to attack me, i am all for those that are legitimately disabled or otherwise unable to work/function getting appropriate assistance. i am all for anything that eases the tax burden on us.
Wait...
Brave anon, if you've assessed these folks as able to go and work today, shouldn't the state have denied their claims?
Oh, wait. You aren't actually a licensed clinician who has met with them and assessed them to determine the extent of their disability. You're just someone who assumes that someone doesn't have a disability unless it comes across to a layperson in a casual interaction. Fortunately, disability determination is done by people who have degrees in assessing disability. Sure, it's not perfect, but I'm willing to bet that clinicians across the board use more sound assessment methods than anonymous posters who think they can see whether someone has a disability.
What year are you living in, Cowardonymous?
Since the 1980s, you have to have some sort of extenuating circumstance to be on state aid - care of children not yet in school, etc. There are also time limits.
Studies of people nearing time limits have shown that a fair percentage are actually mentally disabled, but this is somehow missed by the authorities. Not only should they have been on federal programs, many should not be expected to live independently with an IQ of 60.
So, if you want to save money, get people off the state rolls and appropriately treated and funded by federal programs.
Oh yeah, get your clue. Otherwise, stop wasting oxygen my kids can use.
Here's begging to differ somewhat, Anon:
First of all, one does not have to be on public assistance or disabled to be eligible for Food Stamps and Rent Subsidies, for example. Working people are also eligiblle for such programs. Also, as has been pointed out by some of the other posters here, it's also true that there are people who've also got what are known as "hidden" disabilities, who are also eligible for such programs.
i guess if i made up a name
i guess if i made up a name like eeka or swirlygirl i would be "brave", right? read my post again. i have no problem with my tax dollars going to help some one who is LEGITAMETLY disabled. i never claimed to have judged someone based upon their appearance or gauged their level of disability. don't make assumptions because it fits into your argument. i am an extremely compassionate person, and i take pride in the fact that i am live in a society that at least attempts to take care of those in need. i speak to people on a daily basis, due to my job, that abuse the system. they brag about it openly. i can't count the times when i have been told, " Why should I work when I can get payed not to." either you are extremely naive or don't care, but there is a large amount of abuse in government entitlements, especially food stamps. if you think it is ok to buy cigarettes and alcohol with your money, that is fine but i have a major problem with it.
Granted,
there probably are some people who do abuse the system, since any large institution is bound to end up with a small percentage of people abusing it. However, those who do abuse the system are a very small minority and not the majority. From what I've read/heard, the vast majority of people on some sort of public assistance, foodstamps, SSDI, etc., are people who're really in trouble and therefore are really and truly in need of such programs. A welfare system is an absolute must in a democratic society--we can't do away with it the way a lot of people would like to do.
Also, the majority of people on welfare are mentally and/or physically challenged, or are going through some sort of crisis such as a loss of a job, divorce, illness, etc, and they need support until they're able to get back on their feet. The vast majority of people on public assistance hate it, and would give almost anything not to have to be on it, but the vast majority of them also have no other options.
Good point, Miki
Yeah, I'd agree that it's a very small percentage who abuse the system. And yeah, it doesn't follow that the system should be eliminated because a few people abuse it. Or that we should spend even more money having people come in and be assessed five times as much to make SURE that we catch the people who maybe shouldn't qualify. This would end up costing even more money and would result in abusing the people who aren't trying to cheat the system.
Also, regarding the comment from anonymous about people saying there's no reason to work if they don't have to -- this is often indicative of mental illness. Remember that people with mental illness face a lot of stigma. A lot of my clients, particularly young men, will tell people that "oh, I'm fine, I'm just on disability because they offered it to me, and why should I work if I don't have to?" It's completely understandable that they don't want to tell people they're dealing with a mental illness. These guys will often say that they were briefly in the hospital because they punched a guy or whatever, and they now get disability. The stories they give are not accurate -- you don't get disability or transitional assistance from being hospitalized a couple days for whacking a guy. But it's a lot easier to be viewed as a competent adult if you're "a tough guy who's cheating the system" rather than "a person with a mental illness." I think for a lot of people the denial gets pretty ingrained -- I think some folks really do believe that they're cheating the system and could easily work. I believe that most if not all people with psychiatric disabilitites can eventually find work that works for them, and that's why I work from a psychiatric rehabilitation perspective rather than containment or maintenence or whatever, but it doesn't happen immediately.
Good points, eeka.
Although I'm aware of the persistant stigma that people with mental illnesses and other challenges, and, since I'm not in any of the helping professions, I was admittedly not aware of just how far lots of people go at times in denying their illnesses. Not only is the denial deeply ingrained with lots of people, but, from what I understand, because there's also a lot of stigma associated with being on any type of government assistance, there are people who refuse government assistance outright, as well. It's just the kind of stigma that's been referred to that's prevented tons of people from seeking help, which is really too bad.
Yep
There are definitely folks who don't get help and don't want to be on assistance.
But as far as I'm concerned, if someone's on assistance and getting services, but they'd rather not disclose to many people that they have a mental illness, it's their choice. It seems a little healthier to just set limits with people in terms of not wanting to tell them your personal business, but then, if you don't have the best communication skills in the first place and you're hanging out with people who are judgmental, I really don't blame people who would rather let people think they're smooth enough to cheat the system instead of having people think horrible things about them for having dealt with mental illness.
http://1smootshort.blogspot.com
Again......
The stigma associated with having a mental illness and/or being on government assistance for whatever reason has everything to do with it. It's the way our whole society is set up.
system abuse
I don't ususlly post, but I have to reply to this. I agree that people who truly cannot work, be it for physical, emotional, or temporary crisis deserve help. HOWEVER- working in the banking industry, I cash SSI/Disability checks every month, and please, don't believe that it is only a minority of the population that abuse the system. I can name 5 people under the age of 25 that collect disability checks ranging between $1500-$2000 every month, that are definately able to work. The reason that I know this, is that I listen to their stories. One "gentleman" for instance is "disabled" because in a dirtbike accident he shattered 2 of his vertabrae when he was 19. (he's now about 23) That is awful. What is worse, is that he collects $1800.00 a month and tells us every month about the new stunts he does on his dirtbike. There is another who collects about $1200.00 a month, for a back injury. The aggravating part is that he comes in to cash under the table checks that he earns doing construction. This is just 2 of many in a very small area. Come to Franklin County, and you may change your opinions of just how many people Don't want to be on some sort of government subsidy. Around here that is the main source of income. Makes me wonder why I work my butt off.
no no no. you must be
no no no. you must be mistaken. there is surely no abuse in the free money programs. you need to be highly trained and licensed to detect such things.
Anon......
Whatever abuse does exist in various government-assistant programs is minor.
The people who indulge in abuse of the system are a very small minority and not in the majority. One doesn't have to be in any of the helping professions to have at least a basic awareness of that.
I believe that you're compassionate, but...
...you have a number of facts wrong.
You can't buy alcohol or cigarettes with food stamps.
To get on disability, someone is evaluated extensively by licensed clinician. It's actually quite hard to qualify; people with severe illnesses are often denied. Sure, there are people who slip through and might get benefits easier than others, but I'm still going to say that the clinicians evaluating folks have a much better understanding of evaluating a person's disability than some random person who thinks they can see whether someone has a disability. Many disabilities are invisible.
To get on transitional assistance, there's an extensive evaluation process to determine whether the person has sufficient circumstances to warrant not being able to work just yet. It's also hard to get on transitional assistance.
(Oh, and regarding the name thing -- if you google "eeka," or poke through the Boston Blogs Network on the sidebar of this forum, you can easily find out my full name, what I do for a living, what neighborhood I live in, and so forth. Even if I didn't have other internet presences, you can at least connect my comments to one another, because I always post under the same name. This is the point I was trying to make regarding posting under a name.)
What's in a name
I probably don't even need to chime in, but that's never stopped me before.
If you can think of a better handle for eeka than the name all her friends and her spouse call her, do feel free to speak up.
If you're posting under "Anonymous" or any variation thereof, we don't have any reason to believe you're not the same Anonymous who thinks everyone who goes to protests is a jobless unwashed hippie or the same one who hates Adam for reasons unknown ororor. Maybe you are, but a distinctive choice of name would help with that confusion.
Nope: I'm not posting under "Anonymous"
From Day One, I've always referred to other posters on forums that I post on, whether it be here or on other forums, by the names or handles that they offer. Nor do I think that every protester is a jobless, unwashed hippie, nor do I hate Adam.
Miki, look more closely at the thread...
My comments and Molly's were in response to "anonymous," not to you. I know that you always post under the same name, and I'm agreeing with what you're saying about people deserving benefits. I know the threads are a little hard to follow, but if you look at the indents, you can figure out what it's in reply to. :o)
http://1smootshort.blogspot.com
Oops--my bad.
I looked the thread over a little more closely later, realized that, and tried to delete the response of mine, but to no avail. Sorry.
but what happened to the tax
but what happened to the tax free weekend discussion??? you all got off on a tangent about state aid. robin hood took from the rich and gave to the poor. in democratic society that job has been given to the various taxing authorities. for as long as there's someone with more than s/he can consume, there will be someone who will make a claim to at least a portion of that. of course, we should take care of those who can't take care of themselves. that's why we live in the great commonwealth. and if there are abuses in the system that you don't like, please get involved.
Tax-free weekend
Good comments all, but not on topic. Can we please pick back up with discussion of the tax-free weekend?
I'm of mixed opinion on this. I think that for the usual, small purchases the 5% doesn't really save much. After living in Texas and taxed at 8.25% on everything, 5% on most items is a livable figure. But I think that for folks who are planning on large purchases, the savings is significant, enough to use to buy another item. I'm all for that, trying to make the dollars stretch. And let's face reality here, kids--anyone who lives within an hour's drive of NH is probably going up there for big-ticket items anyway. Having the tax-free weekend means keeping the dollars with Mass stores and business. So count me in on the YES vote side.
Wow. This page came up
Wow. This page came up after doing a google search and I couldn't help but read a few of the posts. I didn't get far before getting completely irritated. Like Anon, I'm all for helping people in need. Key word, IN NEED. Some of you have your heads in the clouds. Do you seriously think it's the minority that abuse the system??? Boy, according to all of you, anyone who is poor is mentally disabled. What a disservice we do to society by enabling those that are healthy and capable by not insisting they be responsible for themselves.
There are many who need and deserve public services and I'd be the first to help out. Unfortunately, there are far too many who just make very poor choices for themselves leaving the rest of us to pay for it. There are far too many of you who enable those who are NOT disabled and just lazy and ignorant who just expect the government to support them, and insist all of us who work hard do the same.
I know this post will tick a lot of people off and unfortunately, I know most of you won't even get it. I will not be wasting my time looking back to read all of your replies so don't bother.
tax free days
It still has to pass the house.................
tax free days
Please note....those collecting the food stamps and welfare checks turn around and sell them to buy alchohol and cigarettes.And don't tell me they have to show ID, i've never heard anyone ask and I shop in a very high welfare area. Just yesterday a guy went to use "his" food stamps and when told he didn't have enough to cover his purchase his response was "I don't know how much is on there it's not my card". We're also talking about transportation passes which they get for free (in some cases)or at a discount rate then they sell them for different amounts of money. I think there is a lot more abuse than you want to admit.
getting cash for your food stamps
Butt loads of people are getting cash for their food stamps to buy drugs and alcohol with. If it isnt as easy as grocery shopping for your drug dealer there are many places that will pay cash for common groceries like baby formula ect. I was a bit surprised when i was in CVS watching a man trying to buy a lot of formula and diapers. When he was refused i wondered why, come to find out he was bringing them to a small shop down the street to sell for cash at half price. In Providence RI this is a fact jack as im sure it is in any other city.