We applaud the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial court on the wisdom of its decision to strike down the Proposition 80 ballot question that sought to remove our state constitution’s protections from unequal taxation. Massachusetts is one of only eight states that have a flat state income tax, which continues to keep our state economically competitive.

The voters of the Commonwealth wisely rejected graduated tax income proposals five times in the last fifty years. On its own merits, the idea of a graduated tax income tax is a consistently unpopular idea to the residents of Massachusetts. In trying to make the idea more popular by earmarking money for special interests, the radical proponents of this legislation ultimately sowed their own defeat.

With the long looming threat of this economic nightmare now passed, the hard working citizens of Massachusetts can finally breath a sign of relief. Our economy will continue to grow, unfettered by the economic malaise and constant budget woes that continue to plague our only neighbor to adopt such a progressive tax scheme: Connecticut.

The Fiscal Alliance Foundation was proud to have played a part in challenging the constitutionality of this ballot question before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. We will continue to pursue our mission of educating the citizenry of our state and increasing awareness about the public benefits to be derived from greater fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in government.