State Income Tax: What's the Chance? (Nashua, Derry: real estate, insurance, student loans)

[DareToDream]

Okay, being "politically naive"....Is this an issue the people would actually get to vote on, or is it something the people already in the government would decide as being "best" for the state/their constituents? If it's something that each individual would get to vote for, then from the little I've seen of the people in the state (at least in this area) it would be voted down....and yes, I would be one saying no to it <g>.

[paisleydragon]

No tax, no way. There have always been rumblings.

The education funding referred to in another post relates to the Claremont Decision. It's caused a decade of upheaval here. Simply, Claremont is (was?) one of the poorer communities in our state. They sued the state for more school funding based on the fact that their kids don't (weren't?) receiving a equal education compared to other kids in the State.

The Clarmont Decision was that the State must provide an equal educational opportunity for all children, based upon the wording of our State Constitution. The legislature has been told that they must define what comprises an adequate education, then they must fund it for all communities.

Bear in mind that despite this controversy we still have some of the best education available in this country. As good or better than all those states with sales and/or income taxes. Now it will have to be funded through the State rather than by individual communities as it always has been.

Some say a sales or income tax will help with the school funding, some say a constitutional amendment will remove the obligation and we can go back to doing things the way we always have.

The bottom line is that there will be no new statewide taxes (ie sales or income) without the support of the voters, and that support is just not there.

[Mustard]

From what I read there is almost no support for an income tax in NH. I suspect that the "Yes" votes on the poll above are NOT in favor of an income tax, but a vote indicating that people know money = power and that politicians crave power. They suspect that there is a probability that within 5 years politicians in Concord will vote for an income tax with lots of excuses, but in reality it is simply about taking power from the people.

Live Free or Die. Politicians taking money = them taking power = them taking freedom.

[east2west]

I sure hope not. After leaving Maryland for New Hampshire, I can say if they are crazy enough to repeat the high taxes of the other New England states they will lose the reason many relocate here. Taxes lead to more taxes. They always do. If they institute an income tax, they will not lower property taxes. They will spend, spend, spend. NH needs to keep it's local governments strong and keep the state at bay. Don't let them slip this one in without a ballot vote from the people like they have other things lately.

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by windchimes03561

Okay, being "politically naive"....Is this an issue the people would actually get to vote on, or is it something the people already in the government would decide as being "best" for the state/their constituents?

to be honest... I don't know! I can't believe it could get put through without a vote from the people, it's such a huge step! And frankly, any elected official who put it through (without a popular vote to back them on it) would be commiting political suicide as they'd most certainly never get re-elected.

[GypsySoul22]

Brutal is paying over $10,000 a year property tax.

[east2west]

Really brutal is paying over $10,000 a year property tax and then 3% or 5% income tax on top of that. They will not reduce property taxes, if they institute an income tax. Oh, maybe at first to get people to vote for it, but over the next few years after people get used to it, property taxes will be back up again. The taxman always wants more. More programs, more government intrusion. Even with the high property taxes, the overall tax burden in NH is lower than almost all of the other states.

[Mustard]

Originally Posted by GypsySoul22

Brutal is paying over $10,000 a year property tax.

Try Long Island where you have $10K in property taxes, plus 7% state income taxes, plus an 8% sales tax. The schools are no better than in NH, the congestion is terrible, the roads are shot, and young people are leaving because homes are so expensive.

More taxes do NOT equal better services. Trust me.

[unknown stuntman]

Originally Posted by Mustard

Try Long Island where you have $10K in property taxes, plus 7% state income taxes, plus an 8% sales tax. The schools are no better than in NH, the congestion is terrible, the roads are shot, and young people are leaving because homes are so expensive.

More taxes do NOT equal better services. Trust me.

You think that would be common sense, but unbelievably some think otherwise. I witnessed example after example of blatant government waste in New York more so than any other state (Maine and Rhode Island aren't far behind) and yet some, particularly the affluent actually WILL DEMAND their government officials raise taxes further to provide "better" services, "better" schools, instead of simply demanding cutting in spending. Cut spending and/or stop bending over to the unions and providing the lavish long term contracts. Its not hard. No we don't need any new income tax and no, no one needs another penny in taxes. Taxes as a percentage of income are out of control because spending is out of control. No new taxes ever. Or else we're liable to end up with alot more Ed Browns in a state that has a better awareness of holding government accountable.

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Originally Posted by unknown stuntman

You think that would be common sense, but unbelievably some think otherwise. I witnessed example after example of blatant government waste in New York more so than any other state (Maine and Rhode Island aren't far behind) and yet some, particularly the affluent actually WILL DEMAND their government officials raise taxes further to provide "better" services, "better" schools, instead of simply demanding cutting in spending. Cut spending and/or stop bending over to the unions and providing the lavish long term contracts. Its not hard. No we don't need any new income tax and no, no one needs another penny in taxes. Taxes as a percentage of income are out of control because spending is out of control. No new taxes ever. Or else we're liable to end up with alot more Ed Browns in a state that has a better awareness of holding government accountable.

Our nation has lost its collective mind. We are in danger of losing our soul. Everything is put into a dollars perspective, and greed has replaced honor as the trait of choice. Pitiful.