It comes as no surprise that Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone supports a proposed state law that would enable cities and towns to raise taxes on residents. Why would a mayor support such a law if not to use it to increase the tax burden on residents? Is everyone ready to pay more?
Mayor DeSimone supports a measure filed Friday by Gov. Maura Healey that would enable municipal leaders to increase local meals taxes, hotel taxes, and add a surtax on top of motor vehicle excise taxes. The state is attempting to shift the burden of raising taxes to local governments likely because it has done such a poor job of managing the state budget. The governor’s proposed state budget for 2025/26 is 7.4% higher than the current fiscal year. Where will it end?
Mayor DeSimone said “We look forward to implementing these long-awaited reforms.” Reforms? New methods to tax residents are hardly the type of ‘reforms’ we need. At a time when the federal government is looking to cut costs and reduce our national debt, the mayor is embracing ways to tax us more.
Perhaps a committee like the federal Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at the local level could find ways to reduce city spending and free up existing tax revenue for local education, public safety, public works, and senior services. And at the state level, perhaps a reduction in the nearly $1 billion being spent to house and support non-citizens could be used to provide additional local aid to communities.
Enough is enough, Mayor DeSimone – no new taxes!
