Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 20, 2022 Now is the Time for Broad Tax Relief Aimed at the Middle Class Record Gas and Diesel Fuel Prices Continue to Plague Massachusetts for a Second Week in a Row, MA Breaks Record for Highest Prices Ever Recorded B OSTON – According to data from AAA Northeast, for the second week in a row, gasoline and diesel prices continue to break state records on a daily basis. Every day of last week, prices broke state records established the previous day. Prices are continuing that costly trend this week, with today’s fuel prices breaking Friday’s state record. Today, a gallon of gasoline costs $4.602 and diesel $6.377. Last week’s gasoline was approximately 5% cheaper, a month ago it was 13% less expensive, and this time last year gasoline was $2.91 a gallon, which represents a 58% increase in price since then. Despite these high fuel prices, Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have refused to consider suspending the state gas tax as other Northeastern states have already done, OP-ED | FROM PAGE 6 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA Memorial Day, my hope is that instead of directing shallow words of gratitude at each other, we do as Lt. Gen. Truscott did and direct our gratitude directly towards those who made the ultimate sacrifice. In both our words and actions, let us all commit ourselves to serve the country to which they gave their lives. While there is still much work to be done, the generaor are on the verge of doing. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue reported the state collected $6.9 billion from state taxpayers, a jump of 79% from last April. With record fuel prices, an 8.5% rate of inflation, and Massachusetts collecting nearly 80% more in taxes last month over a year ago, now is the time for our State House leaders to immediately adopt broad tax relief aimed at middle class taxpayers. “Massachusetts taxpayers are in desperate need to have more money in their paychecks. A good way to do that is through broad based tax relief aimed at the middle class. Suspending the state gas tax is a start, and reducing the state income tax by 10% would go a long way to help taxpayers keep up with the rate of inflation which stands at 8.5%. Reduction of Veterans from this century have access to vast resources, life-saving technology, and increased information. This same generation of Veterans is just now starting to define our post-service legacy and like our grandparents, return home with a deep commitment to service, and a desire to address the many problems that we face. One such issue needing to be addressed is helping Veterans find purpose in their post-service lives. Truscott’s apology to the dead are not empty words, but a strong voice reminding us that we have an obligation to choose resilience and purpose when faced with guilt or grief. As an example, Gold Star Families, who have experienced tremendous loss, continue to serve their communities to maintain the legacy of the loved one they lost. I often recall a colleague of mine responding to the question “why do you do so much to help Veterans?” he simply held up his finger, choking back tears he responded, “for the one I couldn’t save.” By choosing to use his voice to advocate for other veterans, he not only helped them find their purpose – he found his own. It’s often said that for those who have served “every day is ing the state income tax rate from 5% to 4.5% would represent a 10% reduction, and be meaningful for hard-working middle-class Massachusetts taxpayers,” stated Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “The only thing worse than inaction by our Speaker and Senate President is the passage of the legislature’s graduated income surtax amendment, which would increase the income tax by 80% on some taxpayers and businesses. Even for taxpayers who do not fall into the legislature’s 80% tax hike, it will have an indirect impact on the middle class. Businesses will be forced to leave and the high tax costs will be passed down. As painful as it is today for the middle class, it can get a lot worse if the legislature’s 80% tax hike is passed this November,” concluded Craney. Memorial Day,” a traditionally silent observance in the Veteran’s mind that can best be described as an impossible trinity made up of an overwhelming sense of guilt, grief, and grit. Usually, a moment of silence on this day is a welcomed and solemn way to honor the voices from our past, but for myself, after losing three former soldiers to suicide in the past few months, silence is no longer an option and the freedom to use our voice is the greatest gift that our veterans have to offer this Memorial Day. Joseph Reagan is the Director of Military and Veterans Outreach for Wreaths Across America. He has almost 20 years experience working with leaders within Government, non-profit, and Fortune 500 companies to develop sustainable strategies supporting National Security, and Veterans’ Health. He served 8 years on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army including two tours to Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division. He is the recipient of multiple awards and decorations including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. To view resources for service members, veterans, and their families, please visit learn. wreathsacrossamerica.org/veteranresources.
9 Publizr Home