MMTPC, MassEquality call on LGBT orgs to oppose Question 1

In 2007 the LGBT community and its allies succeeded in preventing a ballot question to end same-sex marriage from reaching this year's ballot. Now there's another question on the upcoming ballot that's making Gunner Scott nervous. Scott, executive director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC), is working to organize a coalition of LGBT organizations to formally oppose Question 1, which would eliminate the state income tax and lead to an estimated $12 billion cut to the state budget.

MTPC itself does not receive state funding, but Scott said other programs vital to the community would take major hits if the measure passes. So far MassEquality has joined the coalition, and Scott hopes other organizations will follow suit.

"Really what I want people to think about is the programming the state funds or helps to fund, particularly HIV and youth and health disparities [programs]. ... What is irritating me about the other side is their 'small government is beautiful' thing, and the reality is small government might be great for some things, but when it comes to funding vital programs I don't see them having a plan if we eliminate the income tax," said Scott. He said if the state loses $12 billion in revenue he expects programs targeting minorities and other marginalized communities, including the LGBT community, to wind up on the chopping block.

Currently the state funds a range of programs that serve the LGBT community, including LGBT-specific programs focused on youth, domestic violence, and aging, as well as funding for HIV/AIDS programs.
Marc Solomon, executive director of MassEquality, said the organization's board voted unanimously to oppose Question 1 and support MTPC's coalition. He said eliminating 40 percent of the state budget by ending the income tax would have severe repercussions for MassEquality's agenda.

"My bias is very focused on sticking to our agenda, and Question 1 is thoroughly irresponsible and would have a disproportionate impact on the LGBT community because our community is in need of support from the state and we get support from the state. ... But make no mistake about it, things that will have to be cut will be things that support our community."

Scott said last week he began reaching out to representatives from a handful of LGBT organizations to ask them to join with MTPC in forming an LGBT coalition against Question 1. With the exception of MassEquality he said those representatives have not yet responded, and he declined to name them. But Scott expects other organizations to come on board as early as this week. He plans to make broader outreach efforts to community organizations now that he has another coalition partner on board.

Scott said he was inspired to form the coalition after attending a recent forum held by the Boston Foundation to educate non-profits about the impact of Question 1 if it passes. He said the issue of income tax repeal had not been on his radar, but during the forum he realized the damage the repeal could do to the LGBT infrastructure if it passes. He said when he looked around the room during the forum he did not see representatives from any other LGBT organizations, and he took it upon himself to spread the word within the community.

The Committee for Small Government, the sponsor of the current ballot question, placed a similar question on the ballot in 2002 that narrowly failed, garnering 45 percent of the vote. This time around the ballot question has attracted prominent opponents from across the ideological spectrum, including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, and Republican and Democratic legislative leadership on Beacon Hill. Yet opponents of the question worry that the national economic crisis could lead some voters to support the income tax repeal question.

Scott said he hopes the organizations that join the LGBT coalition against Question 1 will urge their members to vote against it by sending them information about the question by e-mail or newsletter and by putting information about it on their website. He urged any organization interested in joining the coalition to contact MTPC at 617.778.0519 or at [email protected]