To the Editor:
Question 1 is really about changing the Massachusetts Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax. The issue with value on home sales is a separate issue that the MA legislature is addressing by changing the tax-free home sale value: increasing it to $2 million or more. That does not need a change to the constitution.
Additionally, the MA legislature can easily add income-averaging to the laws for state income tax without changing the constitution.
Therefore, we all should be voting Yes on Question 1 AND pursuing the legislature to separately increase the tax-free home sale profit level and to allow for income averaging when figuring adjusted gross income for MA income tax.
Simple and logical.
Question 1 is a change to the constitution. The other items are important but can be easily implemented during a legislative session.
Thank you.
Tom Stagliano
Wellesley resident