Tisei Goes After Deval - Go Get 'Em!

Tisei calls for release of April revenue figures

Accuses DOR, Governor of withholding numbers to influence tax vote

BOSTON – Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei is calling on the Department of Revenue to release April tax revenue figures, saying the Patrick Administration is purposely withholding crucial information from legislators on the eve of a scheduled Senate vote on a $500 million tax increase on businesses.

Noting that monthly tax revenues for the current fiscal year to date have consistently topped original projections, Tisei accused the Administration of dragging its feet on releasing April revenue figures because the numbers – which are expected to again top earlier benchmarks – might sway some legislators into voting against the governor’s proposed tax increases for Massachusetts businesses.

“For the past 10 years, DOR has consistently released the April revenue figures on the first or second day of the month,” said Tisei. “It stretches credibility for DOR to claim that, for the first time in a decade, they won’t have the figures ready until next week.”

Tisei said the unusual delay in releasing last month’s figures appears to be driven by an ulterior motive.

“By withholding information that will clearly show the state does not have a revenue problem but a spending problem, DOR is attempting to influence the debate on a major tax bill,” Tisei said. “DOR is keeping these figures a closely guarded secret because, if word were to get out that state revenues are continuing to come in above projected benchmarks, it would be very difficult for the Governor to justify his tax increase proposal.

“A number of people have noted that DOR, rather than acting as a neutral arbitrator and providing information, has been taking an aggressive lobbying approach throughout the tax debate and is being used by the Governor in a way it has never been used before,” he added. “My question is, when did DOR go from being an agency that enforces tax policy to one that actually tries to influence and set tax policy?”

Total tax revenues for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 to date have exceeded original benchmarks by nearly $800 million, and April’s numbers will add to that figure. At the same time, state spending is growing at a rapid pace.

Over the past four years, state revenues increased by an average of 7.1 percent annually. In FY07, the state collected $19.736 million in revenues, a 6.8 percent increase over the previous year, which far exceeded the state’s original benchmark.

For FY08, the state initially anticipated taking in $19.879 million in tax revenues, but that figure has been revised upwards twice, and is now $20.225 million. Based on the latest benchmark, FY08 revenue collections will rise by 2.5 percent compared to last year, but projected spending is expected to grow by nearly double that rate, or 4.41 percent.

“This is the same type of tactic we saw employed during the Dukakis Administration, when Dukakis was doing everything he could to fudge the numbers and hide the truth from the Legislature and the public and almost led the state into bankruptcy,” Tisei said. “Governor Patrick campaigned on a promise to make state government more transparent, but he has been doing exactly the opposite in order to further his own tax and spend agenda.”

Economic Plan - Build Bridges?

This is a great example of how liberals believe that government can and should create jobs. Instead of getting out of the way for the private sector to flourish, Governor Patrick believes that the government can create growth.

This is not to say that our bridges do not need repair. Maintaining safe roads is a primary function of government. However, it is not a primary way to stimulate the economy.

Here is a State House News article about this proposal.

"Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei said Patrick's economic policies have been 'a disaster for the state.' In an emailed statement, Tisei said, "It's ironic that Governor Patrick would give a major speech on economic development today, less than 24 hours before the House is scheduled to pass his half-a-billion dollar plan to increase taxes on Massachusetts businesses. You don't need an MIT professor to tell you raising taxes during a recession is like throwing grease on a fire. It's a poor economic development strategy and will do nothing to improve the state's economy or competitiveness."


"The state Republican Party knocked Patrick's plan. Spokesman Barney Keller said in a statement, 'The Big Dig also put people to work - it put the taxpayers to work to the tune of billions of dollars. Someone should hide the Governor's credit card before his massive new spending proposals get out of control.' "

Minority Report - Richard Tisei

In its first formal session of 2008, the Senate approved legislation codifying the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Nine northeast states have joined this environmental compact to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 10 percent between 2009 and 2019.

Under this initiative, electricity generating plants that comply with a defined emissions cap will be able to sell allowances through a “cap and trade” program to plants that exceed the cap. Proponents are touting the environmental benefits, but the unanswered question is how much this program will impact communities, businesses and individual ratepayers, and whether it will put Massachusetts at a competitive disadvantage.

With the state expecting modest revenue growth and a projected deficit of more than $1 billion in FY08, the last thing we need is another costly program that will put Massachusetts even further in the red. To address these concerns, the Senate Republican Caucus offered a series of amendments authored by Assistant Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, including one to suspend the compact if the cost to electric generators exceeds $150 million to ensure that these additional costs are not passed on to consumers. Another amendment would require that 25 percent of the revenues generated by the auctioning of credits be returned to cities and towns.

In the end, both proposals were rejected, but the Caucus did gain concessions from the Democrats on two other amendments: one requiring the Legislature to receive a copy of draft RGGI regulations at least 30 days prior to their scheduled implementation, and another directing the Division of Energy Resources to file an annual report with the Legislature detailing how the program’s funds are being distributed.

-Richard Tisei

Senate GOP

You might think, being outnumbered 35 to 5, the GOP wouldn’t be able to get much done in the Massachusetts Senate. As the Senate’s Minority Leader, I can tell you that the Senate Republican Caucus has been working very hard this session to fulfill its role as a government watchdog and to protect the interests of the state’s taxpayers.

Whether safeguarding the public’s hard-earned money, shining a light on some of the more egregious proposals put forth by the Democratic majority, or providing a counterpoint to the governor’s liberal tendencies, Caucus members can point to many positive accomplishments in 2007, and look forward to carrying forth the GOP message of fiscal restraint in 2008.

For a full report on the Caucus’ activities this past year, visit our official website, MassSenate . As always, we welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

-Richard

Governor just keeps on giving

Today, Senate Minority Leader Tisei has a great Op-Ed in the Globe.

So what is Patrick's solution to this problem? Raise taxes, of course. Local businesses already face high taxes. With added costs under the new universal healthcare law, an unemployment insurance rate increase, and a host of other expenses, the cost of doing business in Massachusetts is higher than ever, and now Patrick is pushing hard to close phantom corporate tax "loopholes." That's one gift the state's business community would like to get a receipt for -- so they can return it.

Businesses aren't the only group to end up on the governor's naughty list this year. Despite Patrick's free-spending ways, there are many who are receiving the proverbial coal in their stocking this Christmas.

Consider the state's taxpayers. If you've been waiting for Patrick to make sure the state fulfills its commitment to roll back the income tax rate to 5 percent, you'll have to wait some more. But hey, Massachusetts residents have been waiting 18 years to see the "temporary" tax increase rescinded, so what's a little longer?

If you're a homeowner, you're probably wondering what happened to the property tax relief Patrick promised over and over during his election campaign. You certainly won't find it under the tree this year, but what you will find is proposals for higher taxes on meals and higher taxes on hotel rooms. Taxes: the gift that keeps on giving.

Intro Post from Senate Minority Leader Tisei

I'm happy to post on MassRoots and I look forward to commuticating with you about what is happening (or not happening) on Beacon Hill. This blog is a great tool for me to report directly to you.

Recently, the Senate Republican Caucus hand-delivered a letter to Governor Patrick, asking him to veto special interest legislation that would allow Governor's Council members to represent private clients before the state's courts, boards and commissions in formal legal proceedings

As you know, the Governor's Council approves all judicial appointments, including administrative judges who preside over workers' compensation cases that come before the Industrial Accidents Board. Allowing members to practice law before the same justices they appoint is not only bad public policy, but a clear conflict of interest.

As was recently reported in the Boston Herald, Senator Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) filed the bill (Senate 2332) at the request of fellow Democrat Thomas Merrigan. Merrigan is a former judge from Greenfield who now serves on the Governor's Council but wants to continue practicing law before state agencies. In other words, this bill serves no public purpose and is all about protecting one individual's personal financial interests.

When the governor ran for office, he promised to change the way we do business on Beacon Hill. Unfortunately, Governor Patrick signed Senate 2332 last week. Special Interest - served!

- Richard

Deval's Budget Goes Up

"Gov. Deval Patrick has hiked his office payroll by $1.1 million since taking charge, a 33 percent jump over what former Gov. Mitt Romney paid his staff in 2006, a Herald review found, even as a top House lawmaker now warns of deep cuts to key state services."

"'These increases seem exorbitant given the fact that they’ve sounded the alarm about the potential deficit,' said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R-Wakefield), referring to Patrick administration projections of a $1.3 billion gap in fiscal 2009.

'How can they make the case to cut other people’s budgets when their own budget is exploding?' Tisei added."