Archive for the ‘local stuff’ Category

Welcome back to Taxachusetts

Posted: June 20, 2009 by datechguy in local stuff, opinion/news
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…says the headline of the Sentinel & Enterprise and they are on the money.

The state sales tax is going up.

So is the meals tax, taxes on alcohol, satellite TV and possibly hotels.

Both the House and Senate Friday, delivered an on-time budget to Gov. Deval Patrick that raises the state sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent and lifts the exemption on beer, wine and spirits.

Thea meals tax, like the sales tax, will increase statewide to 6.25 percent and cities and towns will have the local option of tacking on another .75 percent to raise additional revenue for their own budgets.

The House voted underwhelmingly (underwhelmingly?) in favor of the spending plan, passing the budget on a 110-46 vote. The Senate followed suit with a 31-8 vote.

“I think this sends a very strong message that this state has a very large fiscal deficit in front of us,” said Sen. Jennifer Flanagan, D-Leominster, who voted in favor.

I think it sends a stronger signal to shop in New Hampshire open business in New Hampshire and to avoid this state like the plague. There is a reason why we are bleeding population and stuff like this is it.

Wasn’t it only 8 months ago that we had a chance to repeal the state income tax? Well we collectively made our own bed so now we have to sleep in it or move.

Whatever the New Hampshire chamber of commerce is paying our state reps, it’s not enough.

ICE CREAM!

Posted: June 5, 2009 by datechguy in local stuff, personal
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The local coffee shop that opened up during that nasty ice storm last year has decided to use the old ice cream freezer and fountain apparatus.

The just got a delivery of cones and ice cream and intend to offer ice cream and floats and frappes like an old fashioned Ice cream parlor.

The idea that a neighborhood ice cream fountain is opening is an incredible thing to me. 25 years ago there was a local pharmacy a block from this spot (it is now a hair salon) that had a ice cream fountain. It had been in the neighborhood for decades. The return of such a local ice cream place just in time for summer is a wonderful thing.

So if you find yourself on the 5th street bridge some summer day park your car and go into the old time cafe and get yourself a cone (and don’t forget the fish is awsome).

Well the Mass senate has passed a bill that will raise state revenue…

Posted: May 20, 2009 by datechguy in local stuff
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…unfortunately the state they will raise the revenue is New Hampshire:

The Massachusetts Senate approved a 25 percent increase in the state sales tax by a veto-proof 29-10 vote on Tuesday.

and that’s not all!

On a voice vote, senators also agreed to lift an existing exemption from the sales tax on beer, wine and alcohol purchased in stores — a change that could bring an estimated $80 million for substance abuse programs.

One of those rare creatures in Massachusetts known as republican senators had this to say:

Opponents pointed out that, of the five states bordering
Massachusetts, only Rhode Island, at 7 percent, has a sales tax rate above 6.25 percent. Only eight states nationwide have a higher rate. They warned that the higher tax rate would hurt the state’s ability to recover from the recession.

“Maybe we should call this the New Hampshire economic stimulus
bill,” Senator Robert L. Hedlund, a Weymouth Republican, said with sarcasm.

Massachusetts isn’t a large state and New Hampshire is not more than 90 minutes from any point in the state. This is about as stupid as it gets.

There is a reason why New Hampshire has so much development just across the border.

I was reading the story to my son who starts college in the fall. He is an almost straight A student. He will make something of himself, but it won’t be in Massachusetts. He is exactly the type of person who is going to get out of here.

I’m nearing 50, my mother is 84 and has years ahead of her, I’ll be staying here but if this state doesn’t want my honor student boys then so be it.

And people wonder why there are tea parties…

Armed Forces day at Ft. Devens

Posted: May 17, 2009 by datechguy in local stuff

Spent most of yesterday at Ft. Devens for the first Armed forces day celebration there in the last 10 years. Since large chunks of the original post became a civilian community called Devens people forget that there is still a post there where you will find 1000 troops or more training and on duty on any given day.

There were 4 bands ranging from country to rock. Beverages provided by the Wachusett Brewery Company’s portable truck and Texas Road House doing the ribs, burgers etc. And a vast array of interesting stuff from Military Dog Demonstrations, WWII weapons, a chance to Dunk the CO at the Dunk tank and hardware and people from all services from the Coast Guard to the Marines.

A very good time was had by all local stories on the event are here and here.

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