MA: Mideast Budget 2012 (Statute)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

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Sponsor: Tmthforu94

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

We could have a flat income tax rate.  That is what many states in America do.  Maybe 5%?  That's about an average tax for Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, etc.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

We could have a flat income tax rate.  That is what many states in America do.  Maybe 5%?  That's about an average tax for Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, etc.

The problem with that is that someone making $1,000,000 per-year should be taxed more than a person making $13,000 per-year.  A flat tax would put an unfair burden on the poor.  If one person has eight cars and another has one car, the first person is being asked to sacrifice much less if everyone loses one car. 

Compared to the American system, our regional tax rates on the lower and middle class are actually lower.  Perhaps something like a Missouri system where from income from say $0-10,000, we increase the tax by .5% per $1,000.  Anyone making $10,000 or more would pay a flat rate of 5%.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I am opposed to any sales tax increase.  I think our best way of raising revenue is making a flat income tax.  If we want to add a higher bracket for those making more money, I'd be ok with that within reason; however, we won't eliminate our deficit without raising some taxes on middle class people.  A 0.5% tax on 50-70k is practically unheard of in American states.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Governor, I'd really like to get some numbers for the current bill from the GM before we keep making changes, if that's all right with you.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

What we need is a more progressive tax system with more tax brackets.

No, we don't.

The current tax rates are not fair to the lower and middle classes. The wealthy need to pay there part to help our great region.

I agree with Assemblyman Gass3268 on this.  At the very least, the regional income tax rates (especially for the upper income brackets) need to be increased as do the corporate tax rates (although the regional income tax brackets are a bigger problem).  Long story short, we need a more progressive tax system (at least, if we are serious about passing anything close to a fiscally responsible balanced budget).

Actually, a flat tax (which is what most states that make up this region use) would get us much closer than a graduated tax system.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Governor, we still need that increased revenue for the beer.  Also, wht is our estimated cost for keeping up the lottery?  We now need to add that to expenses as well.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I think we should go to a flat tax rate, like most states in America use.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

A flat tax is the most realistic way we can do this.  AND it would raise more money than a graduated income tax.

I am also opposed to increasing corporate taxes at this time.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

The deficit is now down to 15.14 billion

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Changing my vote on Amendment #2 to Aye if I still can

There aren't any amendments at a vote right now.  (Right? - Did I forget to close one?)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

That's it's own bill: https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=160602.25

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Income Tax Rate:
1.5%    $0 - $13,000
3%    $13,001 - $180,000
4%    $180,001 - $750,000
5%    $750,001 - $2,750,000
6%   $2,750,001+
1.5%   Employer contributions to pensions

Corporate Tax Rate:

0.5%    $0 - $75,000  
1.5%    $75,001 - $350,000
3%    $350,001 - $10,000,000
3.5%    $10,000,001 - $20,000,000
4%    $20,000,001-$70,000,000
5%   $70,000,001+

Would these proposals be acceptable?

No.  No.  No.  No.  No.  No.  We need a FLAT tax rate.  That's the only thing that will balance this budget.  And we can set it at 5 or 6% and be good.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Income Tax Rate:
1.5%    $0 - $13,000
3%    $13,001 - $180,000
4%    $180,001 - $750,000
5%    $750,001 - $2,750,000
6%   $2,750,001+
1.5%   Employer contributions to pensions

Corporate Tax Rate:

0.5%    $0 - $75,000  
1.5%    $75,001 - $350,000
3%    $350,001 - $10,000,000
3.5%    $10,000,001 - $20,000,000
4%    $20,000,001-$70,000,000
5%   $70,000,001+

Would these proposals be acceptable?

No.  No.  No.  No.  No.  No.  We need a FLAT tax rate.  That's the only thing that will balance this budget.  And we can set it at 5 or 6% and be good.

I would like at least two to four brackets, even if the main rates vary around 5 or 6%. People with millions have much more discretionary income than those making in the tens of thousand only, and therefore, it is perfectly reasonable to expect them to pay a higher tax burden than the less wealthy.

Income Tax Rate:
1.5%    $0 - $50,000
3%    $50,001 - $180,000

That's what I meant to put for those two brackets. D:

The majority of state governments in America disagree with you.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

A 5-6% flat tax rate is an accurate and reasonable goal.  What's wrong with that?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Here is my proposal:

0-30,000 0%
30,001-250,000 4%
250,001-1,000,000 6%
1,000,000+ 10%

The rich must pay their fair share back to the region

And why is "fair share" not 6%?  Shouldn't everyone pay their fair share?  Hence the "fair"?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

They're not paying the same.  The millionares are paying much more than the poor.  But the proportion should be the same.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

If I concede to vote for the immigration bill and the driving bill, will you concede to a flat tax rate for the region, a tax rate in line with most states representative of the Mideast in America?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

I cannot.  At most, I'll accept 3 tax brackets.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Do we want a GM analysis of the amendment before or after the vote?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

What do people think about basing the income tax rates on a real life state from the region? If you want to be able to see estimates from me without a very long wait, that'd be the way to do it.

Oh hey - like a flat tax rate?  Just like I've been saying.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

What do people think about basing the income tax rates on a real life state from the region? If you want to be able to see estimates from me without a very long wait, that'd be the way to do it.

Oh hey - like a flat tax rate?  Just like I've been saying.

MI, IN and IL have flat taxes; the others have more.
Here is a list of the tax rates for every state.

I thought Missouri and Ohio did as well... apparently I was incorrect in that.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

What do people think about basing the income tax rates on a real life state from the region? If you want to be able to see estimates from me without a very long wait, that'd be the way to do it.

Oh hey - like a flat tax rate?  Just like I've been saying.

MI, IN and IL have flat taxes; the others have more.
Here is a list of the tax rates for every state.

I thought Missouri and Ohio did as well... apparently I was incorrect in that.

Missouri's is almost flat, since the highest bracket starts at $9K.

That's right - I remember that now.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

So, no one answered my question.  Do you want a vote before or after the GM's analysis?  (This is mainly aimed at whoever introduced the amendment... I can't remember right now)

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

OK, so other than Tmthforu94's sales tax amendment, what amendments do members still want brought to a vote?