LETTER: 10 Reasons to Vote 'No' on the Newton Overrides

Ten reasons why Newton voters may vote NO three times on the proposed property tax overrides this coming Tuesday, March 12:

1. Newton's 0.75 percent increase in the meals tax
2. Social Security (FICA) tax increase from 4.2 percent to 6.2 percent
3. Newton's 2.86 percent increase in property taxes from 2012 to 2013
4. Doubling of the Massachusetts Gas Tax
5. Massachusetts highway tolls increase of 5 percent
6. MBTA rate fare increase of 23 percent (with the promise of raising fare an additional 33 percent this year)
7. Massachusetts health insurers rate increases from 6 percent - 12 percent 
8. Governor Patrick's intent to increase MA Registry of Motor Vehicles fees by 10 percent
9. Deval Patrick's proposed increase MA state income taxes to 6.25 percent - even though the electorate chose to bring it DOWN to 5 percent
10. The yet specified additional federal tax burden to be imposed on us all.

The Pièce de résistance is when we are told - it's only going to cost you "a $1 per day". What would a $1 per day yield if wisely invested over 30 years? Let's stop telling our neighbors how they must spend their hard earned money and be accepting that not everyone can handle the ever growing tax burdens put on us.

--Janet Sterman

Editor's note: For more stories, letters and blogs on the Newton override, check out our Newton override page.