SALES TAX RANT

[Pixguy]

In Massachusetts 16% of the state sales tax revenue goes to help pay for the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) which provides service to the greater Boston area. Out of 60 years I've only ridden on an MBTA train once, but it just makes me smile to know I'm subsidizing the greater population of Boston with cheap fares to ride around with very little benefit to the rest of the state. :thumbdown:

"Since the "forward funding" reform in 2000, the MBTA is funded primarily through 16% of the state sales tax (with minimum dollar amount guarantee), which is set at 6.25% state-wide. The authority is also funded by passenger fares and formula assessments of the cities and towns in its service area (excepting those which are assessed for the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority)."

"MBTA Operating Revenues
Revenue Source Amount
(FY 2008 budget)
State Sales Tax $756M
Fares $430M
Municipal Assessments $143M
Parking, Real Estate Tenants, etc. $37.4M
Real Estate Sales and Misc. $20.8M
Advertising $11.0M
Federal government $8.0M
Interest $3.8M
Utility reimbursement from tenants $2.8M
Total $1.413B"

According to Howie, the MBTA is where political hacks and their family go to do nothing and retire.

Is that true?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Death and taxes... I guess I should be happy it's taxes...

 

[PILOON]

A long time ago when our state was run by the Byrd machine we only built what we could pay for. Not so much now

Nowdays they max payments over maximum years.
They buy $250,000. plow trucks and finance over 20 years, drive them 5 years put 25,000 miles on them and sell them to the highest bidder for about $3000.
They claim it is cheaper than maintaining them.
But they bought lifts at $20k for maintenance but wont handle more than 60lbs so all major work is farmed out.

I have nothing against taxes, it is just how they spend my money!

 

[PILOON]

How would you like living in Montreal? home of the BIXI bikes!

About $5mil deficit annually for being able to pick up a bike and riding it down hill. And that without needing a helmet.
Once saw a snow removal contract for close to $2mil for bike trail SNOW REMOVAL!

Now bikes totally ignore traffic signs, never stop for lights, and turn against banned turns.
Do not need lights but we get demerits and fines if the cyclist runs into our door.

I live in very hilly area with solid center (no pass) line.
Cyclists weave and wobble up hill, usually 2 abreast, and I need to painfully follow behind.
Now I would not mind bikes if they paid their fair share of road maintenance as obeyed the same laws that i have to.

Since ecology is the BIG argument, then when the coast is clear of traffic we should be allowed to not stop at intersections and run red lights when there are no vehicles in sight.

 

[mrmikey]

Try Nova Scotia, 15% even on used vehicles....Mike

 

[thatguy]

OK. Bought myself a new truck for the first time since moving to Virginia two years ago. Previously, in South Carolina it was a $300.00 set fee, no problem. BUT, here in Va it is 4% of sale price. Short story, came to $2,400.00. I almost fell off the chair. Dealer apologized profusely, but what could he do? This is above and beyond the title, registration fees, and the personal property tax I have to pay every year on the truck as long as I own it. My question is, who gets that money, and what do I get out of it ? I'm pretty sure I just took one in the shorts. What a rip off...

What you paid was a 'title tax' which is in lieu of 'sales' tax (which is like 9% these days)..

 

[Pixguy]

I'm just surprised anyone over 25 would be surprised that autos are taxed like any other sale.....

 

[caver]

7.75% here and about 2% lower over at my property in the Ozarks. A lawyer fought the local tax and won so some cities had to pass new laws
as people realized if they bought out of state or from a private party they avoided about 3-4% in taxes.

 

[turnkey4099]

But think of all that good your money will do providing social benefits.

Virginians everywhere thank you for your contributions, I'm sure.

Washington state used to have that excise tax on vehicles to license annually. Very, very expensive until the taxpayers raised up on their hindfeet and passed an initiative limiting license fees to $30/year. That was back in the 70s or perhaps late 60s. Still $30/yr but they have found ways to tack on extra fees to it. Still under $100/yr though on a car or light truck.

Harry K

 

[k0ua]

I was just thinking that the 4% sounds like a bargain to me.

Yep. It is worse here.