Magnitude: Vote NO to Question 3...

Election Day is tomorrow, which means you have the power to vote.

Democrat. Republican. It doesn't matter.

For Question 3: SAY NO.

Question 3, in a nutshell, asks to cut Massachusetts's taxes by 3%, wiping out an additional 2.5 billion annually from the state budget. Although the offer to cut sales tax seems tempting, especially during our tough economic times, learn the facts about what the tax cut will do to your community before voting yes.

This cut would affect public schools and public higher education, which have already suffered drastic cutbacks. It would impact libraries, the course system, police and fire services, human services and health care. As posted on VoteNoQuestion3.com:

Public Education. Our public schools and colleges would have to absorb a huge share of the cuts. There would be massive layoffs, bigger class sizes, disruption of programs and a decline in the quality of education in our schools and colleges.
Health Care. More cuts will hurt already struggling community hospitals, school nursing services, public health initiatives and community health centers.
Quality of Life. Local aid to cities and towns would be slashed, affecting public safety, parks and recreation, senior services, libraries, road repair and so much more.
Economy. By causing the sudden layoff of so many teachers, firefighters, police officers, social workers and others while we are still coping with a recession, a cut of this size could halt – or even reverse – the state’s economic recovery.
Property Taxes. Cities and towns would be forced to raise property taxes and seek overrides simply to maintain basic services.

While it is a no-brainer that everyone wants their taxes reduced, especially now that many families are hurting financially due to the economy, the impact of cutting taxes by 3% would be a huge blow to the Massachusetts economy. The current state budget is supported by $2 billion in one-time revenues from the federal government and the state rainy-day fund. That means that $2 billion of the revenues in the current budget simply will not be there in 2011. If Question 3 is passed, we would further reduce state revenues by another $2.5 billion. Thus, in total, the state would have to operate with $4.5 billion less next fiscal year. See exactly how Boston and other Massachusetts cities and towns will be impacted.

Check out this YouTube video and others on the Vote No to Question 3 Youtube Channel.