Never Trust A Legislature …
That wants to tax your dog. Boston Herald:
State Republicans are howling mad over yet another tax hike being slipped through the Legislature that would slap an annual $3 state surcharge on municipal licensing fees canine owners pay for their pet pooches.
Annual license fees range from $6 a year in Boston for neutered or spayed canines (and $17 for unfixed dogs) to a flat $20 in Plymouth. Angry GOP senators are pushing to name the bill “Toby’s Law,” after Gov. Deval Patrick’s wriggling Labrador puppy.
“We’re trying to collar or neuter these onerous fees and counter the Democrats’ rabid obsession with increases,” said state Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth).
But state Sen. Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) argued the fee is necessary to fund a state spay-and-neutering plan meant to snip the state’s out-of-control problem with strays.
“The number of abandoned animals has gone through the roof over the past few years,” Jehlen said. “Shelters are euthanizing animals because they have too many.”
Jehlen pointed out that the MSPCA and several dog kennels and purebred pooch clubs throughout the state support the bill.
But French bulldog owner Megan Doerrer said she’s tired of the dog pile of state fees and taxes.
“I don’t want to pay more and I don’t think anyone else does either. It’s a weird time to choose to raise prices,” said Doerrer, 25, a math teacher who lives in the South End and was walking her dog Brady in Peters Park.
It never ends in Massachusetts. First they came for the booze … to double tax it while they buy out-of-state. Now it’s the pups … turns out you’ll have a hard time finding a solon who even has one. Put a leash on Toby’s Law!
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Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:04 am on Saturday, September 19, 2009
3 Responses to “Never Trust A Legislature …”
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September 19th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Reminds me of a recent conversation I had with my teenaged son, explaining the differences between business and government.
When private enterprises hit hard times, they first do everything they can to cut their costs without raising prices or cutting services. Why? Because if they don’t, customers will go straight to the competition.
When government hits hard times, they cut basic services AND raise their prices. Why? Because they want you to feel their pain so you’ll be willing to pass tax increases, and there IS no competition to go to. Once you become a “customer” of the government, you’re screwed.
I would be willing to bet that there is not a city or county in this country unable to fund their essential services using existing revenues.
September 19th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
[...] Never Trust A Legislature … [...]
September 20th, 2009 at 11:08 am
[...] up like pirates will they be allowed to crack some heads? And Jules Crittenden is worried about taxes on our dogs! As Instapundit asks what could possibly go [...]