The Roll Back Taxes ballot measure (“Question 3”) was a 2010 citizen initiative in Massachusetts (U.S.A.) to roll back the state sales tax. It was the boldest and most serious threat to high taxes anywhere in America in 2010.

If Roll Back Taxes had passed, it would have:

created over 27,000 NEW Private Sector JOBS!

given back an average of $688 – every year – to each taxpayer. An average of over $900 per family. Every year.

forced state politicians to cut government waste.

kept shoppers in Massachusetts– instead of driving them to New Hampshire’s 0% sales tax.

attracted international shoppers as well as those from bordering states: Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and New York. Another boost for Massachusetts Retailers and shoppers.

So close…

Question 3 was ahead in the polls (54%) in August of 2010. But the grassroots campaign had just a tiny ad budget, while the opposition saturated the airwaves with ominous TV, radio, and Internet ads warning of “decimation” if the tax cut passed. They also teamed with Democratic incumbents to conduct a massive get-out-the-vote campaign against the initiative, driving those who were unsure to vote No.

Despite a $4.5 million campaign by the Teachers Union to defeat it, and despite Massachusetts being among the biggest of Big Government states, nearly one million voters (43% of the vote) said Yes to cutting the state sales tax in half.

Four Massachusetts legislators were elected in 2010 (three newly elected, one incumbent) who pledged their support of rolling back the sales tax to 3%:

Representatives Dan Webster (6 th Plymouth)

Plymouth) Ryan Fattman (18th Worcester)

Steven Levy (4th Middlesex)

Geoff Diehl (7th Plymouth)

Question 3 changed the conversation from more Big Government to less

Question 3 was the most talked-about issue in the 2010 Massachusetts election. It was the lead issue discussed in gubernatorial debates and a frequent topic on talk radio. Voters across the state discussed the possibility of cutting the sales tax with their friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers.

The 2010 election in Massachusetts was a rare opportunity for taxpayers to seriously challenge the Big Government status quo. It would have taken $2.34 billion out of the coffers of Big Government and returned that money to the taxpayers who earned it – every year.

Learn more about Question 3:

Blog

Videos

Frequently asked questions

Where to cut spending

Endorsements

About the Alliance to Roll Back Taxes

For more bold, small government ideas and proposals, visit the web site of the initiative’s sponsors: the Center For Small Government.