Sunday, 16 November 2008
Goodbye Question 1 A collective sigh of relief could be heard across the Massachusetts landscape last Wednesday as the defeat of Question 1 became clear. Like many parents of special needs children, I was worried about how a repeal of the state income tax would impact both my disabled child, and my "typical" child's education.
But according to BallotPedia.org, more than 70% of the vote went against this initiative. That number sent a powerful message to our legislators. We're letting them know we're concerned about our children's' futures. We've already seen cuts in SPED programs, teacher layoffs, elimination of administrative positions, the DMH/DMR denying services, and many other infrastructure, public safety and social programming budget slashing.
The next step for our lawmakers is to guard against raising taxes, yet strive to ensure monies are distributed to where they are needed most. And that will be most challenging in the difficult fiscal days ahead.
Sharon Marie
