How should we pay for state government?

The Blue Mass Group asks the question, How should we pay for state government? I think that is a valid question. The recent increase in sales tax will fund some of what we need but is not adequate. The Governor wants to increase gasoline taxes. Some, including myself, feel that an increase in the income tax rate in the most equitable way to raise the money. I would go a step further and make the income tax progressive like the federal income tax. That would require amending the state constitution. Alternatively, the current flat rate could be applied without deductions as is done in some other states.
A time of economic hardship is not an opportune time ...

... to be raising taxes but I think we can all agree that we want or need the Commonwealth to fund some things. Most of these expenditures have quite laudable goals. Public education, public safety, roads, bridges, commuter rail, and public health all fall in that category, I think. The Copmmonwealth will almost certainly fall short of funds in the next year or two. So the question remains, how are we to raise the money required to fund those activities of state government that the people want or need? Take the poll at left or leave your comment.