Romney's Real Record on Taxes
State & Local Tax Burden Increased 5.1 Percent During Romney Administration. According to The Tax Foundation, a conservative tax research organization, in 2002 (the year before Romney came to power), Massachusetts state and local tax burden was 9.8 percent: the 34th highest in the nation. The Tax Foundation reported that in 2006, Massachusetts state and local tax burden had increased to 10.3 percent: the 28th highest in the nation. Thus, during the Romney Administration, Bay Staters saw their taxes burden increase by 5.1 percent in real terms. [Massachusetts State-Local Tax Burden Compared to National Average (1970-2006), The Tax Foundation]
Romney Signed Measure Allowing Hike in Local Commercial Property Taxes; Property Taxes Rose to Highest Level in 25 Years. On October 24, 2005, the Boston Globe reported that in 2004, Romney, "signed a measure that allowed local officials to raise the commercial property tax rate, which cost business owners $100 million, according to Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the state's largest business group." Romney’s cuts to local aid forced Massachusetts property taxes to their highest level in 25 years. [Quincy Patriot Ledger, 12/16/05; Boston Globe, 10/24/05]
NCSL: "Massachusetts Imposed More Fee Hikes Than any Other State in the Nation." On August 28, 2003, Congress Daily reported, "A survey of states grappling with spending crises has found that Massachusetts imposed more fee hikes than any other state in the nation this year -- at least $500 million, the Boston Globe reported. GOP Gov. Mitt Romney and the Legislature, faced with a multibillion dollar shortfall, made it more expensive to get a marriage license or a divorce, file a court case, buy a house, renew a driver's license, or tap into a host of other state services. The study by the National Conference of State Legislatures found that Massachusetts was one of 30 states that enacted fee increases this year." [Congress Daily, 8/28/03]
* FY 04: Romney Doubled Fee on Marriage and Birth Certificates. On January 31, 2003, the Boston Globe reported that in Romney’s FY 2004 budget proposal, "birth certificates and marriage licenses, which could recently be had for just $6, will now cost double." [Boston Globe, 1/31/06] Romney also proposed raising "childcare licensing fees by 30 percent and to double fees for birth, death and marriage certificates. The proposals are also soon expected to become law after the Legislature approved them last week." [Worchester Telegram & Gazette, 2/21/03]
* FY 04: Romney Proposed Charging the Blind For ID to Travel Free on Public Transportation. On May 25, 2003, the Boston Globe reported, "the price of being sight-impaired will be going up. They want to start charging blind people a $15 fee for a travel ID that would allow them to continue riding the T for free. The ID currently costs nothing." [Boston Globe, 5/25/03]
* FY 04: Romney Created New Fees on Bay Staters Filing Complaints with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. On February 28, 2003, the Boston Globe reported, "He vowed not to raise taxes. But Governor Mitt Romney never made any promises about fees. The governor's proposed 2004 budget new fee on individuals who file complaints with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. [Boston Globe, 2/28/03]
* FY 04: Romney Created New Fees on Automobiles. On January 31, 2003 the Boston Globe reported that in Romney's FY 2004 budget, "the governor also imposed a series of fee hikes, establishing a new $3 fee that would be imposed on all car-buyers in Massachusetts, and instituting a $2-per-car parking fee at state parks... 'I will not tell you that today's actions have no impact, that no one will be inconvenienced, that no one will be forced to sacrifice,' said Eric Kriss, Romney's secretary for administration and finance.'" [Boston Globe, 1/31/06]
* FY 04: Romney Increased Fees on Boats. On February 8, 2003, the Springfield Union News reported, "Romney wants to generate an extra $1 million alone by raising two-year registration fees from $30 to $40 for boats under 16 feet; $60 for boats 16-26 feet; $80 for boats 26-40 feet; and $100 for boats over 40 feet." [Springfield Union News, 2/8/2003]
