A tale of two governors: Patrick (D-MA) vs Brownback (R-KS) and their State of the State.

[Mass]

Yesterday, Governor Brownback and Patrick both had a State of the State where they offered tax law changes. A pretty good opportunity to see the difference between a progressive and conservative budget.

Here is what Governor Brownback offered during the State of the State yesterday. (no surprise from a Republican)

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/01/17/1463711/kansas-gov-proposes-elimination-of-income-tax-while-maintaining-tax-hike-on-the-poor/

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) became the latest Republican to propose the elimination of state income taxes during his State of the State address last night, adding that he would make up lost revenue by maintaining what was supposed to be a temporary increase in the state’s sales tax.
the Kansas City Star reports:

Amid the depths of the recession, legislators approved a 1-cent increase in the state sales tax in 2010. That was to be a temporary boost, with six-tenths of a cent scheduled to go away this summer on the expectation that other revenue would trickle in with an improving economy.
Now Brownback suggests rethinking the sales-tax rollback.
He wants to use it as a lever to further reduce income tax rates, piling on more cuts to those passed by the Legislature last year. Brownback wants to lower the rate in the highest income tax bracket to 3.5 percent from 4.9 percent. The rate for the lowest bracket would drop to 1.9 percent from 3 percent.

schools and other vital programs. The plan made Kansas’ already-regressive tax code — the poorest 20 percent pay 9 percent of their income in taxes compared to less than 6 percent for the top 1 percent of earners — even more regressive. This proposal would make it even worse

Yesterday , Governor Patrick (MA) had also a proposal about taxes in his State of the State. He proposed (gasp!) to increase the income tax for the highest income while cutting significantly the sales tax and make taxes more progressive in a state where the Constitution forbid a progressive income tax.
http://baystateliberal.blogspot.com/
http://bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/01/17/patrick-delivers-state-commonwealth-speech/f3NIZpVHrqYHU9iF8Vf4eP/story.html

Here is the result according of Patrick proposal according to the Boston Globe.



Of course, there should be no surprise that the MA State of the State proposed substantive investments in infrastructure and education. Kansas, however, not so much.

[1StrongBlackMan]

1. I suspect that ...

If each Governor is successful, Kansas will see an increase in the high incomed's bank balances; but also a decrease in job growth and other economic activity; whereas, MA will see an increase in job growth and other economic activity; but stagnant high-incomed bank balances.

Oh how I wish we'd pass legislation requiring all politicians, above the Council level to take, and pass, Econ 101 and Econ 102.

[Mass]

2. I suspect Patrick took these classes.

But he also took a class in fairness, something that Brownback missed or flunked.

[Agschmid]

5. I went to Business School is VT at UVM...

For us it was all about sustainable businesses and making sure that stakeholders were represented in all decisions not just shareholders.

[bluestate10]

3. I live in Massachusetts and support our Governor's proposal. nt

[graywarrior]

6. Same here!

[Scurrilous]

4. Thanks!

K & R