YOUR COMMENTS

I have a relatively simple solution to address the state and federal politicians who propose tax increases without specifying what spending cuts they will make.

I call it my "10 in 10" program.

When you find politicians who are guilty of this behavior, you do the following:

Find 10 people who voted for them in the past election and convince them to vote for the incumbent's opponent, regardless of party, in the next election in, 2010.

It's sort of a pyramid plan for voters.
- Ray, Derry

They want to take us from 2nd in retail jobs & drop us down in the rankings, because someone feels it does not pay enough, etc, then take the tax dollars we pay, and retrain the work force for better jobs that we do not have. So if we earn 5 milliion in taxes, how much do we spend on retraining thousands of workers? Then of course, we lose all the money from the businesses they want to force out. This also raises our unemployment levels.
If there was no call for all the retail jobs we have here, or nobody wanted to work them, then we would not rank #2! Not all states can be all office jobs, or tech jobs. I believe we used to be high in the ranks of factories? When the demand went down, then retail went up. What gives politicians the right to dictate to us what we can and can not do for work? Or what types of businesses can be owned by someone?
- Rick Pitts, Weare, NH

Why don't we call them what they are - a "live beyond our means" tax(s).
- Marty, Raymond

I am absolutly DYING...to see how many of you REMEMBER all this, along with all the budget woes and higher taxes that are enacted already at next election time. $20.00 says they are ALL re-elected with their 'promises' again of balancing the budget and controlled spending. They ALL should be voted out...FAST, QUICK..and making their head spin with a 'why' coming from their lips. Seems they just 'don't get it'.
- Bob, Deerfield

Response to:
"How much money would our state save
if our politicians would take a pay cut.
Instead of raising taxes and implementing another tax on the people of N.H.
- david, Chichester"

Hey Dave the 424 members of the legislature COLLECTIVELY receive less than $43K/year! How much do you think that should be reduced to?
- Jonathan, Windham

Actually Jeff in Dunbarton, I'm one of those. And when I do have to travel out of state I buy nothing there.
- Brian, N. Sutton

Some random thoughts:
Can someone show me where in the article it says the 5% state property tax would REPLACE the local property tax?

Why would renters qualify for exemptions? If they rent, they don't own the property, why would they get a property tax bill? Why are we going to give them an exemption?

Wonder how many people will transfer their property to a not for profit tax exempt LLC and then “rent” it back claiming the renters exemption?

Why do we always take as gospel truth anything said by “An economist at Whatever University? Do you realize that 90% of these people never left the educational system, they just went up through the degree process and took positions on staff. They have only experienced a system that rakes in huge amounts of taxpayer funds through grants and programs that are paid by ever raising tax rates.

Time to vote the bums out, from the town counsel to the Governor to the US seats that are up for grabs. Doesn't matter what party they are, don't like what they are doing? Vote for the new person, clean out the greed and arrogance, keep doing it and some good people will decide to run and get elected.
- Tom, Goffstown

I rent an apt in NH. I moved here from Taxachusettes last year. I work in NH and have children that attend the public schools. I don't have to pay any taxes. I love it here. I hope they don't get an income or sales tax. I want to live tax free.
- Betty, Kingston

We need to encourage more economic development in New Hampshire.

We need to encourage more tourism to New Hampshire.

If the business profits tax is less than 5 percent, more businesses are likely to expand in New Hampshire and come to New Hampshire. If more people are employed in New Hampshire, fewer people may need Medicaid and food stamps. If New Hampshire has more businesses, local governments may obtain more property taxes from businesses helping them to spend more money on education and other essential services. If New Hampshire has more businesses, local governments may obtain more property taxes from businesses helping them to reduce property taxes on residential properties and business properties.

If the rooms and meals tax is 5 percent, more tourists are likely to visit New Hampshire and stay longer. People are likely to eat out more often helping servers obtain more tips. More restaurants and hotels may want to locate in New Hampshire.

If restaurants and hotels are allowed to have poker matches, other card games, slot machines, and other types of casino gambling, business profits tax revenues and rooms and meals tax revenues from many restaurants and hotels may increase. New Hampshire may charge people a fee to gamble in restaurants and hotels, tax gambling revenues from restaurants and hotels, and tax gambling winnings from restaurants and hotels. If you are against casino gambling, do you think the state lottery should be eliminated which may be as addictive or more addictive than casino gambling?

I would like some of the money New Hampshire obtains from the rooms and meals tax to be used for state parks and fish and game department. If New Hampshire has better state parks, more tourists may visit New Hampshire and they may stay longer. Many more businesses may decide to locate near state parks. Improving state parks is a quality of life issue and quality of life issues sometimes impact where businesses decide to create jobs.

I would like the state parks website to have pictures and possibly videos of state parks.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH

The real problem is not the taxes, or the spending. The real problem is that all the politicans bave become divorced from reality. It is time, Ladies and Gentlemen to invoke Article 10 of the Bill of Rights of the New Hampshire Constitution. To wit:

[Art.] 10. [Right of Revolution.] Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind.

June 2, 1784
- Ken Close, North Conway

About a 1/4 of the residents in this state now pay an income tax to the states of Mass , Vermont and Maine and this state gets nothing in return for it except that they usually have higher paying jobs in those states. Jobs are drawn there because companies are drawn by lower property taxes and lower business fees. The only thing that gets higher in this state in the property tax. If a flat rate , no deductions income tax were enacted in this state the state would get all of the lost income tax revenue that currently goes to the other states equal to the tax rate that NH would have plus what the other people that work in this state contribute. The reality is that the more money that you make the more you will pay in income tax so it is equitable no matter what your income is. As the system stands now we are getting nailed on property tax.
- Don Armstrong, Henniker

Last time I checked, a sales tax that is percentage based means everyone pased the same percent of their spending. People that spend less, pay less. People that spend more, pay more. Seems fair to me.

The only people that don't like it are those that think they should get a free ride and the "rich" should pay for everything.
- Fred, Pelham, NH

They enact a sales tax thats going to flush NH down the tubes. The only reason people cross the boarder is because they are saving 5-6 %. Cut that in half the rationale will keep them home and that will leave us paying our own tax. Is there anyone in the state that has the guts to cut spending. Maybe I ought to run for Governor.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

What I'd like to know is, all you people who argue that a sales tax would burden the "boarder towns", does a sales tax stop you from going to Maine or Florida, or any other state with a sales tax, for a vacation? Do you sit at home in NH and never leave this state because of sales taxes in other states? Just curious...
- Jeff, Dunbarton

While other people have argued that sales and income taxes would be harmful to the economy, reduce jobs and hurt seniors, and these are all great points, people are over-looking the real issue here.

Democrats have increased spending drastically while they have been in office so that they can finally push a sales and income tax which they can use to grow the size and scope of government and ruin the NH traditional way of life.

These politicians know exactly what they are doing; they are cold, calculating socialists who want to make government bigger and have more authority over your life.

How many new departments will be needed to collect these taxes? How many employees will these new agencies need to hire to collect these taxes? You can bet that all of these new employees will be members of the SEIU labor union!

Citizens of our State need to take a hard look at the Democrats in New Hampshire. A large majority of those in power in Concord are blatant progressive socialists who are hell-bent on increasing the size and scope of government and destroying our State's unique culture.

Some of the people here leaving comments will need to become candidates for State Legislature that will promise to reduce spending and increase liberty. Others among us will have to make phone calls and knock on doors for those candidates, and still others of us will have to donate money to their campaigns. If we do nothing, the progressive socialists who are currently leading the NH Democratic Party will have destroyed New Hampshire.
- Andy, Manchester

David in Chichester, give our politicians a pay cut? They already get paid, what, less than $200 a year to be part of the NH legislature! Why do you think people who'd probably like to run (who might make a difference if they did run), don't? Look what happened to poor Gene Chandler (if I recall correctly)! Held fundraisers to help support the measley pittance the state pays the legislature and got his hand slapped for not reporting properly.
- Chris, Epsom

Controlling spending, obviously what they "should do", is unlikely to happen. Eventually, whether the citizens of NH want it or not, we are going to have a broad based tax of some kind. If that is the case, I'd take a sales tax over an income tax any day. Again, a broad based tax of any kind of not my choice, but as NH is becoming "Massachusetts North", its unlikely that the NH legislature will ever learn to control spending. Instead, they'll keep nickle and diming us to death by increasing fees and taxes on everything else.
- Michelle, Concord

Yet another educated moron whose world experiences lie behind ivy covered walls.
Come out you self-important dolt into the land of the great unwashed and stop filling the young minds of our future with your utopian garbage.
- Michael, Manchester

If NH adds an income or sales tax, expect to hear a big sucking sound as people bail out of this state. Even though NH has a lower tax burden than most other states, the overall cost of living is higher in NH than most states. Check any cost of living calculator on the web. Once the tax burden goes up in NH, that will push a significant number of people over the edge and head for greener pastures - i.e., lower cost of living, more job opportunities, better colleges, better weather, etc.
- Bob, Portsmouth

If you think that one tax will relieve another tax, you are naive. You will be the proud owner of both taxes.
If you think that there will be a limit on either of the tax rates, you are unclear about political human nature. Taxes are our responsibility to our country, state and locality. Due diligence is our politician's responsibility to protect our hard earned money. In the past, tar and feathers were the checks and balances. In these kinder times, voting someone out of office is like closing the barn door, after the horse has left. All government employees should have to sign an oath to "first, do no harm" when they enter office and teeth in our laws to make sure they abide by that oath.
- David Schaefer, Bow

The members of this committee should consider spending cuts and the voters of New Hampshire should consider getting rid of these tax and spend moonbats.
- Vic, Derry

I don't get it???? When I ask my democratic friends if they support paying more in taxes, they always always say "no"...but yet they continue to elect these people who propose raising taxes?

I know there are republicans out there who have in the past had to raise taxes as a last resort, but democratics always seem to look at as the "shoot first, ask questions later" tactic!

I really hope all you people who voted in these tax happy spending people are taking note for the next election...sadly though, most of you are probably watching CNN drinking the punch!
- Mike, Epping

Simply put, if this was enacted, and the cap of 5.50 per $1000 enacted plus a $200,000 exemption, I'd be able to hang on to my family's 200 year old farm, that is now for sale because I'm being property taxed off it.

I'd welcome this and have been a sales tax proponent for years.

The key is it must reduce property taxes.
- Kevin, Keene

Ross is an idiot. The retail economies of Littleton, Lebanon, Claremont, Keene, Nashua, Salem, Plaistow, Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester and North Conway would be decimated by this absolutely stupid proposal.
- brian, hooksett

What is it with liberal democrats?

Tax, tax and more tax. If the economy is good, they want to tax you. If the economy is bad, they want to tax you more.

They never see a spending problem, they just see a revenue problem. They take money out of your pocket then claim they are "fighting for" working families. Nonsense.

Liberals claim it is the rich who are greedy but in reality, it is THEY who are the greedy ones. They see people making money and they want it. At least a thief will leave you alone afterwards but liberal politicians guilt you into thinking it was your duty to pay "your fair share" then turn around and make plans to tax you again. Pretty soon we'll just be handing our entire paychecks over to them.

Don't believe me?

Bill Clinton campaigned under the phrase: "my economic plan begins with a middle-class tax cut..."

3 weeks into taking office, he announced the tax cut was off and gave us the largest tax INCREASE in history then to rub salt into the wound, he made it retroactive to the first of the year. Before Bubba even took office!

Our NH democratic party, Obama and Clinton, Change you can "believe" in... or get suckered by.
- Jim D, Hillsboro

Democrats and liberals will never change there quest for the redistribution of wealth from producers of wealth to consumers of wealth. They keep the Poor poor and the Middle in the middle to provide poor with social programs and provide the Middle with the bill. Without there expensive social programs they have no base. Common sense explains that increase in taxes will decrease our consumption and slow NH economy. But common sense and reason is beneath liberals because they can't grow government if they actually have to do do what is best for NH and not just for their constituents. Its time to serve the "Tax, Spend, and Big Government" mobsters there walking papers.
- Hughan, Manchester

Let’s see now? They dig us into a financial hole; they don’t even consider spending cuts and now want to implement an income tax or sales tax? Anyone who says they will cut other taxes after implementing either or both of these taxes are either naive or a liberal lying through their teeth! These clowns have so got to go! Without a doubt vote them out!
- Rob, Manchester

A sales tax would have a greater effect on border towns and discourage monies spent from neighboring states. A state income tax would not apply to those who work in neighboring states with a state income tax in place. It seems to me that acting sooner rather than later on a casino bill in a favorable manner would be the answer to additional revenue and job creation as well as maintaining current programs. Why not put these choices to the vote of the people? A sales tax, a state income tax or casino gambling.
- Jim Burns, Salem

We need to reduce spending, or at least stop it from rising. That's the problem. Our state spends too much of our money. Giving them more money isn't going to make the problem go away.

A sales tax would be a disaster. Retail is the only industry thriving in NH. Even if it's half of MA's rate, MA shoppers will think "I'm not really saving that much after I pay for the tolls and gas." They'll stop coming, we'll lose a lot of retail jobs and a lot of retail businesses, and tax revenue will fall.

We really need an amendment to the state Constitution banning sales and income taxes. This issue comes up again and again, if it passes, they'll do the same.. except it will be talk of raising the rates. We have a good thing now, let's not ruin it. Control spending, don't raise taxes.
- Alex, Nashua

For those arguing that a sales tax would not lower taxes you need only look at the GOP poster girl, Sarah Palin. She openly bragged that while mayor she lowered property taxes 40%. She did not explain that this was possible because of a sales tax, which she was against prior to becoming Mayor.
My preference, as a senior on a fixed income, would be the income tax with a homestead deduction. This would allow for a revenue raiser based on ability to pay, which has been missing in the debate for many years. The constitution requires fairness in taxation. There is nothing fair when you tax with a regressive method such as the property tax or for that matter a sales tax, both of which would be detrimental for those low income people.
- Richard Elliott, Claremont

We're already overtaxed. Any change in tax policy that fails to LOWER the overall tax burden should be off the table. Concord isn't underfunded, its overfunded.

If anybody wants to see where much of this money is going, one need only look towards the chalkboard.
- Jim Peschke, Croydon, NH

All we have to do is look at MA, once a tax is in place, the Government finds a way to spend it and more.. Less taxes = Smaller Gov

Thnaks
- Jack, Newton NH

I feel that a sales tax now just is inappropriate.
Please institue an income tax now (with no sales tax) - I just don't make all that much money now. Then, as my earnings rise, I can buy items tax free. Once I have purchased what I want, please eliminate the income tax, and start up the sales tax.
Finally, once I have saved up barely enough to retire, eliminate the property tax all together, so that I am not burdened buy this tax, either.
- Peter, Concord, NH

The mask always comes off.......democrats always revert to who they are, and so Almy, a fromer resident of NYC and her gang of tax and spenders expose themselves. They "use" some silly professor to say a broadbased tax, in this case a sales tax, is good for NH even though the professor admits he has not really done a study of it, lol. The good news folks is that the NH democratic party is going to be smashed to pieces in the next election. What's even funnier is that they don't see it coming.....they think NH is some leftist "fever swamp" like Massachusetts. It's not, and they will learn this in November 2010.
- Jay Collins, Laconia

For those arguing that a sales tax would not lower taxes you need only look at the GOP poster girl, Sarah Palin. She openly bragged that while mayor she lowered property taxes 40%. She did not explain that this was possible because of a sales tax, which she was against prior to becoming Mayor.
My preference, as a senior on a fixed income, would be the income tax with a homestead deduction. This would allow for a revenue raiser based on ability to pay, which has been missing in the debate for many years. The constitution requires fairness in taxation. There is nothing fair when you tax with a regressive method such as the property tax or for that matter a sales tax, both of which would be detrimental for those low income people.
- Richard, Claremont

For those arguing that a sales tax would not lower taxes you need only look at the GOP poster girl, Sarah Palin. She openly bragged that while mayor she lowered property taxes 40%. She did not explain that this was possible because of a sales tax, which she was against prior to becoming Mayor.
My preference, as a senior on a fixed income, would be the income tax with a homestead deduction. This would allow for a revenue raiser based on ability to pay, which has been missing in the debate for many years. The constitution requires fairness in taxation. There is nothing fair when you tax with a regressive method such as the property tax or for that matter a sales tax, both of which would be detrimental for those low income people.
- Richard, Claremont

Where was all the complaining from "conservatives" when Republicans were increasing spending over the last decade? State spending went up significantly from 2001-2006, when Republicans ruled the roost. (http://www.nhpolicy.org/reports/pub_and_how_much_will_the_budget_grow_final.pdf)

It seems that Republicans only oppose government spending when they don't get to control it.
- Dan, Manchester

I agree with - Ron Helwig, Deerfield. You people who voted for these vipers in to punish Bush? You are just punishing yourself. Why are we leaving our tax discussions up to these socialists from universities? Who the heck thinks Gittell as any authority on the matter? What about the people and what WE want?

Nothing good ever comes from a 'study' committee.

These people need to be removed from office and this committee shut down immediately.
- Sue, Manchester

Another Ways and Means chair who is an elitist and lives outside reality. For the 2008 election cycle Susan Almy contributed over $63K to the democrats. $63K sure would buy a lot of food for the NH Food Banks.

http://www.campaignmoney.com/political/contributions/susan-almy.asp?cycle=08
- Gavin G., Concord, NH

The problem with creating a sales tax is that other taxes are not effected. The property tax will not go down, the meal tax will not go down and we will soon start seeing reports of an income tax.

Voters let's enforce the 'no tax pledge'. If a politician votes or supports a new tax they need to be voted out of office.
- karl, New Boston

The Democrats never met a tax proposal that they didn't like. A tax increase is a power grab for the far Left. And given the current economic conditions, the last thing that NH residents and businesses can afford is another tax increase of any kind.
- Mac Wade, Newmarket

So, Gittell did not hasn't done a detailed analysis, but he believes a sales tax is best for NH. Maybe some analysis is in order.

He wants the sales tax at half that of the bordering states, half of which state, they don't all have the same sales tax.

Also, he touts this as a way to raise revenue then states it will eventually reduce the number of retail jobs. Just what we need, less jobs.
- Mike, Salem

Dr. Gittell should do his homework before advocating for a consumption tax like the sales tax. If he did he would know that the Business Enterprise Tax is a type of consumption tax . . . only without the anti-business aspects of the sales tax such as tax pyramiding (the paying of a tax on a tax). And the BET already has the low, flat rate he advocates of 0.75 percent and when it was first enacted in the early 90's it replaced a number of other anti-business taxes. The BET is an important reason why NH's economy is envied by the rest of the country. The BET should not be eliminated, as proposed Rep. Almy, it should be expanded in order to further eliminate other more anti-business, anti-jobs taxes--just as the BET ate the estate tax earlier this decade.
- Scott, Haverhill

Lets face it, the real estate taxes are so high they are depressing the values right now. If the taxes go up then the value goes down and they don't really get any more money from you. Get your abatement forms now. Any property that is not on the big lake is 40 to 60% of last years value.
- Steve, Gilmanton

Kathi, Milford -- Isn't a portion of the rent that a renter pays used by the landlord to pay taxes? My significant other rents an apartment, and she makes sure that the rent covers the taxes and more, for sure.

I'd argue that for most average homes, once a child is in the school system, the amount of taxes received by the home doesn't cover the cost of educating one child, let alone the several that most homes have. Should they pay more than people who don't have children as they may be getting a better return on their tax investment?

Andrew S, Where would you pack up to?
- Texter, Newfields

So the professor, according to the article, belongs to the school of public finance thinking which maintains that the state should tax what it seeks to discourage, and not tax what it seeks to encourage.

As opposed to the other school of thought which is that revenue should be raised in order to finance the government's operations in an efficient way which does not distort individual behaviour.

I believe in the latter. Regardless, though, following the professor's logic, I guess his sales tax would look to discourage retail consumption and eliminate retail jobs. For some reason, he apparently wants to decrease retail jobs, even though tourism is one of the mainstays of the NH economy.

As far as a sales tax lowering other taxes, I wonder whether the professor might also list what other states have been succesful in lowering property taxes by imposing a broad based tax. Maybe starting with Connecticut's experience with its income tax.

I support the property tax method of financing state and local government. It lets people know the true cost of running towns, schools, and the state itself. It keeps the pressure on the politicians to control expenditures. All these other "tax the other guy" schemes are a ruse to generate more revenue from the taxpayers.
- Ditmar Kopf, Hollis

"He said any tax policy should tax what a state wants to discourage, leave alone what it wants to encourage, be kept simple, stable and at rates below bordering states. When times are flush, money should be set aside for lean times that inevitably follow, he said.

He offered a sales tax as a solution along those lines, and said it would gradually lower the state's ranking as nation's second highest concentration of retail jobs. He said the jobs pay low and offer little advancement opportunity."

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The purposes of taxes is to raise revenue to allow the government to function. Though politicians do use them to discourage bad behavior they shouldn't. How is having alot of retail jobs a bad behavior? I ask this twit what would happen to all those people who would lose their retail jobs? Will they suddenly be hired on at 40 dollars an hour at some high tech job. Answer ahh no. They would be unemployed. Their are alot of people who rely on those jobs who want esay part time jobs, such as spouses earning a little extra money for the family but not looking for a career, college kids working through school, teenagers for spending cash, and retired folks to supplement retirement income. What is so dang wrong about having the second highest concentration of retail jobs somebody has too.
- Brian, Wakefield

An income tax, combined with a reduction in the property tax, would be much fairer as long as the total budget stays the same and spending doesn't increase. The current system relies too much on the property tax, putting an undue burden on retired people with fixed incomes.

An income tax could also increase revenue because a lot of New Hampshire residents work in Massachusetts and pay their income tax. If that income tax money went to NH instead of MA it wouldn't add to our tax burden.
- Paul Anderson, Brookline

The Democrats already increased taxes to the point that it now costs $123 a year to register a 1983 Dodge pickup truck!! Now they want to add a sales tax on top of that?? Time to pull up stakes and move out of New Hampshire.
- Larry, Nashua

On top of the 9% meals tax?

If they pull this garbage, I will be ordering everything online from places like Amazon with free shipping, not using any local businesses at all.

And that only until I can pack up my business and move to a state that still has sanity. NH has suffered an infection of MASS, and I think it may well be fatal.
- Andrew S., Derry

Good to see it matters not to the esteemed Prof from UNH if people working in retail lose their jobs. We'll just spend more tax dollars for "retraining". Uh, Prof. Gittell, where are all the new business that will hire all these retrained unemployed folks? Notice that the solution always stops at the new government program with this crowd. No thought whatsoever as to how to make NH more attractive for private industry. I guess they can all get jobs at UNH right Prof. Gittell?

Two recommendations for anyone disgusted by this latest attempt to impose a broad based tax:
1. Call AND email your reps today. Make sure they know how you stand on this new tax
2. Start thinking about who you will and will not be voting for next November for the NH House and Senate.

The only way to stop this is to put Republicans back in the majority in Concord. Promises by Democrats to not support broad based taxes can not be trusted. Neither can this Governor.
- Mark, Amherst

The problem with any sales tax is it hits the poor worse than the wealthy, which is exactly why any person making over 100k/yr like these panel memebers and advisors wnat to use it instead of an income tax (which I do not support either). A rich family of 4 eats just as much food as a poor family of 4 which means the grocery bill is @ the the same amount before taxes - add those taxes in and who do you think will have to cut back on healthy foods or food in general for their family. It won't be the wealthy family for sure. A sales tax is is just another unfair way to tax the lower class and tell them it will help support state programs for them. An income tax on the other hand of even only 1% will tax the wealthy more than the poor - that is simple math you make more money you pay more money - I bet the budget would be balanced real quick when the campaign funds stop flowing in due to Uncle Lynch and the Lynch Mob dipping into your disposable income. I grew up in N.O. wher the sales tax is 10%+. It has been a crutch since it was introduced, every new program warrants a rise in the sales tax. It is a slippery slope.
- John, New Ipswich

We should institute a sale tax for out-of-staters.
We must recognize that tourism is our bread and butter, but currently the land owners in NH pays all the bills for the tourists. Just cause there has never been a tax like this before doesn't mean it can't be done. Sales tax - but only for non-residents.
- Sarah, Portsmouth

I think that Rep. Almy is right. My father had a small business in NH for many years and finally closed it due to the property taxes. I think a sales tax is a bad idea because we get a lot of revenue from bordering states that have sales tax (especially Mass). The property taxes unfairly hit the homeowners and small business people in NH, and NH has a high amount of renters who use the schools and other services but, don't pay their fair share. I think an income tax is a good idea as long as they do away with the property tax. You only "live free" in NH if you don't own a home or business here. If we had an income tax instead everyone would be paying a portion instead of half the people paying for everyone.
- Kathi, Milford, NH

I've read this article twice and nowhere could I find anything that said what we needed a sales tax for. Therefore, I have to conclude that we "need" a sales tax because the liberal democrats have a hidden agenda for all sorts of new social causes and programs they want to fund. But they don't want us to know what they are yet, because, Horror of horrors) we might object!
- Sandy, Thornton

Forget the sales tax! New Hampshire was run very well until the Democrats took control of both the legislature and governorship in 2006 for the first time in 140 years. A better idea would be to vote out all the NH Democrats in 2010. They cannot manage spending or control a budget!
- Bill, Brookline

"NH needs a sales tax. A sales tax would spread the taxation burden around more fairly and would bring in big bucks from the tourists who invade this state 365 days a year"

Brian - do you even know that NH already has a sales tax that specifically targets the tourism industy? It's called the Rooms and Meals tax (which was just INCREASED). We don't need a state-wide sales tax - we need our government to balance the budget by reducing spending. If that huge 17+% spending increase that occurred just a few years ago had not happened, then we would be in a much better fiscal position today than we are.
- Mike, Derry NH

Hey, if everyone is happy with their property tax bill...which doesn't go down when someone loses their job, putting their home at risk.

And happy paying a king's ransom to register their car, etc....

And okay with paying high fees to use state parks that are often in disrepair...sad considering they are some of our most precious resources.

And think it's cool to have the highest in-state tuition in the US at our state colleges, universities, and community colleges...and our grads have the highest student debt load in the US when they graduate holding them back... University of California at Berkley is less expensive than our community colleges!

And like paying taxes on campsites and U-Hauls...

Then we should just keep things the way they are, and not even consider the possibility there might be a more fair way to fund what we need.
- KB, Berlin

"The bill would put a flat 5 percent income tax in place, repeal the business enterprise tax, put the statewide property tax rate at $5.50 per $1,000 of value and give each homeowner a $200,000 homestead exemption. Renters would also qualify for exemptions."

What is funny about this is that this will just increase the bloated state spending as more state workers would need to be hired. When sales tax revenues decline, the hacks in Concord will propose an increase to the state property tax, and/or an existing sales tax. It is time for Almy the former NYC resident to retire. NH doesn't need another left winger to ruin NH like they have done with our New England neighbors. Wake up people.
- Alex K., Deering, NH

how convenient for the tax payers to take another hit for the politicians over spending
on the budget. i have an idea let's have the
politicians take a pay cut to save money.
- david, Chichester

Any new tax will not solve the budget problems. They will just spend it as found money and will still be in trouble. STOP THE SPENDING!
- sally, candia, nh

How much money would our state save
if our politicians would take a pay cut.
Instead of raising taxes and implementing another tax on the people of N.H.
- david, Chichester

Interesting, spread the tax burden around Brian. This will put a tax burden on the disabled, the Seniors and our disabled veterans. It will increase welfare costs, unemployment costs, in fact it probably will raise the cost of everything in this state that relates to labor. That employee is going to want more in wages to make up for the taxes. For the next two years, seniors, disabled veterans, retired military will not be receiving colas, unlike our school teachers and the sea. I have decided not to vote for a democrat again.
- Jim, Center Ossipee

If it were set at half the rate of neighboring states, it would raise substantial money, continue to draw out-of-state shoppers and allow the state to cut other taxes.

If this is the case, then the tax cuts shoudl be in the same bill. And if the sales tax's goal is to be revenue neutral - meaning other taxes go down by the same amoutn then what is the point.

The snake just wants to get in the door with a broad based tax. Once it is in, the rates will rise and the other taxes will rise too.

Give an inch they take a mile. Don't be fooled. Sales and income tax should never be an option period.

I am sick of getting screwed over. I'm 30 and the generations above me made all their income with these benefits (no taxes) and now want to take it away from me. How will I ever get ahead?
- CJ, Bedford

If you look at states with a sales tax you will find that it DID NOT lower the property taxes. It just gives government, Dems. and Republicans, more of our money to spend. Yes Andy, there are Democrats that are against increases in taxes and I'm proud to be one.
- John, Manchester

Let us see that Gov. Lynchs promise to veto means absolutely nothing. Everybody needs to remember he made many similiar promises regarding gay marriage. The Gov has no backbone regarding any legislation like this and if any broad based tax reaches his desk, he will sign it. Call all of your Represenatives today.
- Daivd, Merrimack

Are our elected officials idiots? They think we have problems now with the recession just wait once they approve a sales tax or income tax, it's going to get way worse.

I really don't get the concept of the government, you have to pay to work. This is a form of extortion, if you don't pay then they will throw you in jail. Currently the average American pays 40% of their earnings to the government, when this Obamacare gets approved the average American will pay 60%of their income to the government.

We need to act now, our officials don't care about what we have to say. The only option left is to impeach the scum from office. If we wait till the next election we will have a sales tax or income tax in place, which at that point will be to late.
- James C Webb Jr, Candidate for Ward 8 Alderman

Once again our politicians see the "New Hampshire advantage" not as something to preserve but something to HARVEST--provided a small advantage remains--like Bob Clegg telling policyholders he has left them a few decisions to make, or a land-use planner telling you it's not a taking, there are still one or two legal uses left for your lot. It's amazing we could be considering a "small" sales tax given the current treachery in Mass. The goal of the conference was to get attention away from state spending.

And, here or on climate change or child disciipline, a professor not measuring cause and effect but volunteering opinions on public policy is not practicing "science," despite his degrees.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

How about we get back to the NH of old and lower spending instead. Send the "tax and spenders" packing to where they came from...No more tax's.
- David, Merrimack

Does anyone seriously think that if we had a sales tax that other taxes would be reduced? Lower than surrounding staes will keep them coming here but what about those of us who live here and enjoy the fact we don't have added taxes to our purchases? Why is it that these tax lovers cannot look at all the staes that surround us that have both a sales and income tax and not see that they are in worse finacial shape than we are. In Vermont for instance some towns add their own "town" tax to purchases in addtion to the sales tax. In maine they have a sales tax and "snack tax" and over 8% income tax. In Mass they just raised the sales tax and are considering doing the same as Vermont and letting some cities and towns add thier own taxes. Bottom line is with all thsos taxes are they better off than we are here in NH? The answer is NO so do us a favor and make sensible budgets and stop trying to make us think that an income or sales tax is the only answer. All we have to do is look around us to see that is not the case!!
- Bill B., Pelham

One tenured, protected professor should have influence over the taxpaying people while our "representatives" are sitting around thinking up new ways to tax and spend? Vote these people out. They are all in it together to secure their own interests that have nothing to do with improving this State. It is a "we and they" situation and WE need to fight them at the polls.
- Lynn G, Dover

Sales Taxes are regressive in that the poor pay a higher percentage of their income then the rich.

I guess when we lose all those retail jobs we can all just become consultants to the legislature and make lots of money.

There is not a revenue problem. There is a spending problem. This article just shows why we need to make big changes in Concord on Novemebr 2010.
- Stephen Campbell, Salem

Time for citizens to go knock on the door of your representative(s) Tell your friends to do the same.

A sales tax is nothing more than an excuse by democrats who can't balance a budget. I propose that all who voted in favor of HB 002 which raised our state budget more than 2,000,000,000 dollars, and had spending far in excess of revenue, resign immediately. They are unqualified and incompetent to be public servants.
- Michael Layon, Derry

oh yeh a sales tax half of neighboring states have. Please, once you start it you can never go back. Every time the state needs money it will just raise the tax.. Does NH want to be like MA?
- Jay, Dover

Do you honestly think that things will "improve" by assailing the residents of New Hampshire with a broad based tax?
One only has too look South of the border. With the tremenduous amount of revenue Mass. takes in from income and sales tax, how come Mass. is in such bad financial shape?

The answer is overspending. Politicians will always look through rose colored glasses. It is easy to spend someone elses money.

Connecticut is a fine example of what happens when a broad based tax like income is instituted. The politicians will cry that your property tax burden will drop, then initially it will. Over the years, the politicians will find new social programs to use the income tax revenue stream for. Nowadays, Connecticut is a great state for welfare handouts.

Why do I know this? I have relatives that live there. Has their lives improved since an income tax was introduced? The answer was no. Wages did not increase. Their property tax burden initially dropped, but went back up again.

And, lastly, what really angers these relatives is that Connnecticut now has an eight billion deficit.

So, go ahead and institute a broad based income tax. Then watch the labor unions, special interest groups, and welfare recepients line up for the handouts. In this case, will history repeat
itself? Yes it will. At that time, we should change the name of our state to New Connecticut.
- Paul, Bedford

Live free or die....baby......live free or die!!
- Mike, Gilford

Lets get something straight here. This isn't about overcoming a temporary shortage of funds at the state level, or even really about the state house's inability to control their spending habits.

This is about changing the balance of power, putting more power at the state level, and decreasing local power. Once a broadbased tax is instituted, local control will be essentially gone. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

Any politician that votes for a sales or income tax needs to be voted out before they destroy the state's unique nature.
- Ron Helwig, Deerfield

Maybe Prof. Ross Gittell can go on permanant furlough to Massachusetts? It would be one way to trim the budget.
- Andy, Milford

NH needs a sales tax. A sales tax would spread the taxation burden around more fairly and would bring in big bucks from the tourists who invade this state 365 days a year.
- Brian, Farmington

If these idiots want a broad based tax, then they better get rid of the state-wide property tax and make cities and towns lower property taxes by the same amount as the percentage of tax they want to enact. We have been taxed to death and it is about time the idiots in Concord started being fiscally responsible. NO MORE TAXES!!!! LOWER SPENDING INSTEAD!!!!
- Ruthie, Fremont

Even if they add sales tax.. Will they lower property taxes? NO-- why lower anything??

STOP SPENDING!
- John-, Campton

What SHOULD be considered is how to replace this committee. Did they just come straight from MA? Get out of here!
- Bob, Manchester

Timing is everything. If the Legislature wants to talk about sales and income taxes, schedule town hall meetings for October of next year. Invite Union reps to maintain order and muzzle hecklers. The media should be there as well, with lots of TV Cameras inside and out side the town halls. Governor Lynch could also attend some of the town halls and show everybody how he has "grown in office" and now supports an income tax. Isn't transparency all the rage now with Obama in the White House
- Fred, Milford

Here we go again! Another round of lets take from the people because, government cannot hold themselves fiscally responsible. How many on this commitee has voted yes on a raise? Time to muster the troops!!
- Dan, Manchester

Is there any Democrat out there who can control their urge to Tax and Spend?
- Andy, Milford

How about the legislature think about looking at the average revenue from the past 10 or 20 years and build the budget around that number rather than look for new sources of income.
- Paul Sherwood, Manchester

A sales tax at a low rate is the same as being just a little bit pregnant. Just wait!
- Leo, Canterbury

I'm glad these tax-and-spenders in the state house have revealed themselves. It will make it that much easier to get rid of them in the next election.

Do not vote for ANYONE who is even contemplating increasing your taxes. We can't afford this Democrat spending spree.
- Mike, Manchester, NH