SAY “NO” TO QUESTION 1 There are many different opinions about the question 1: reducing “the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 2.65% for the tax year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and eliminate the tax beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2010” in Massachusetts. “According to three recent polls, 45 percent of Massachusetts voters plan to vote yes on Question 1”(6), almost half of the voter population think that is a good idea, but other voters think differently. Lowering the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 2.65% is not a good idea because it will directly interfere with the state budget with will lead to economic instability and social issue. According to the article, this initiative would affect to the economy. It will cut out “$12 billion, nearly 40% of the stage budget a year” (24). If people do not pay state income tax, it means that the government needs to cut off many programs, eliminating more jobs. Thus, “some people would be laid off, such as state police and government worker”(21). Less police control means more crime. And higher unemployment rate is going to hurt our economy, because people tend to spend less money. Moreover, education is an important aspect that is affected by lowering tax. It means reducing a significant decrease funding from government to public school and higher school, leading to cutting services and increasing tuition and fee. Scholarships could also be affected, and then students do not have enough money to pay for school without help from government. Therefore, this proposal would do serious damage to the education and future economy. On the other hand, if people still pay income tax, when something happens to their job, they can get the support from the government; otherwise, they will have
