Romney Tries For Income Tax Cut

Can Mass. Governor Mitt Romney push a state income tax cut through a legislature entirely controlled by the party opposite?

Since Romney has potential 2008 White House plans all eyes will be on him to see what can be accomplished in the circumstances.

So far, he doesn't have much to take to American voters should he become a major GOP presidential contender, but that could change if the numbers work his way in this state budget battle.


(Boston Herald) Gov. Mitt Romney [related, bio] is again pushing for an income tax cut and leading lawmakers, questioning whether the state can afford it, are pushing back.
Rolling out a budget plan yesterday that boosts spending by 2.4 percent, the governor at the same time called for a cut in the income tax rate from 5.3 percent to 5 percent.
With the help of a multi-million dollar windfall resulting from past Medicaid over-budgeting, Romney vowed his $23.2 billion budget would be balanced.
The proposed tax cut will save a married couple with a $60,000 income $146, a single making $50,000 $133, and a family of four making $80,000 about $180.
But Sen. Therese Murray, chairwoman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said an income tax rollback, which would cost the state more than $400 million annually, is far from a certainly.
``We don't even know if that is doable right now,'' said Murray (D-Plymouth), adding the uncertainty created from the pending Hancock education funding decision and other factors. ``From what we see now, no.''