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RoaminRonin13 t1_iudnsta wrote

This is the worst kind of pandering IMO. The Commonwealth could obviously use this money for all sorts of different projects, and these politicians acting like “we have no choice, it’s the law” are full of it. The legislature knew this was happening and could have moved to do something about it - but instead they want to be able to tell their constituents they gave them a few bucks back.

The state infrastructure is a mess, the T is literally on fire… but let’s send everyone a couple hundred bucks or so and pretend like that’s actually useful in these inflationary and unpredictable times.

Also, I happily voted yes on 1 but have to say that if we want to ring more money out of millionaires (which we should - 4% on everything over a million isn’t hurting you) we shouldn’t be giving back tax money we’ve already collected.

And don’t come at me about how they didn’t have a choice. They write the laws, they had a choice.

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Yak_Rodeo t1_iudwyya wrote

this was due to a ballot initiative directly voted on by state residents in the 80s

the state should have never collected this money in the first place, giving them an “oopsie, guess we will keep it” is poor government 101

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[deleted] t1_iudpu7e wrote

[deleted]

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husky5050 OP t1_iudqzu0 wrote

I don't think the legislature can overturn referenda results.

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alongfield t1_iudtb94 wrote

Not legally, but when has that stopped people from complaining about this state doing/not doing something. If the state could keep it, you'd have the same people whining about "money that the state stole from them".

I'm glad we don't do the general fund shenanigans like some states do. I think it's awesome that we pick a budget for the year and then stick to it.

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gallaj0 t1_iudysfm wrote

So you're advocating for the state to illegally keep the money that by law must be returned to the citizens?

That wouldn't be people whining, that is a valid argument for outrage against a criminal act.

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alongfield t1_iudze1p wrote

I'm advocating for reading the words that I actually wrote instead of making something up just so you can generate a reason to argue.

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escapefromelba t1_iuds995 wrote

> under the voter-approved tax cap law known as Chapter 62F, which taxpayers triggered for the first time since 1987 by delivering massive amounts of taxes.

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50calPeephole t1_iudsfpe wrote

I could have sworn I read at least 2 articles this summer that there were ignored triggers. 🤷‍♂️

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