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Residents protest hike in sales tax outside state office building

Date: 5/26/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD -- Many of the people involved in the tax protest known as the Tea Parties on April 15 were back in Springfield calling the attention of passing motorists to another issue on Thursday: the proposed increase in the state's sales tax.

The Massachusetts Senate approved an increase of the tax from five percent to 6.25 percent last week to help fill the budget deficit the state is facing.

Shirley Nomakeo, one of the co-organizers of the Western Massachusetts 9-12 Project, explained the increase goes counter to what the groups members are looking for: smaller government with greater fiscal responsibility.

"The government needs revenues from the private sector, not the other way around," she explained.

Describing the group as grass roots and non-partisan, Nomakeo said its members fear that Massachusetts would "follow California heading down the same path."

That "path" is one of far greater deficits than those faced in the Bay State.

Stating her colleagues are trying to have American government adhere to the Constitution, she said they also support term limits and that "the founding fathers never meant [public office] to be a career."

About 20 people gathered on the sidewalk next to the state office building on Dwight Street. Holding signs that read "Honk for less taxes" and "Boston pirates -- hands off my pocket," the protesters solicited horn blasts and waves from drivers. One protester set up the Gadsen Revolutionary War flag with a coiled rattlesnake and the words "Don't Tread on Me."

Nomakeo said her group meets once a month and has a Web site at www.meetup.com/The-Western-Mass-912-Project.

Nomakeo said the goal of the protest is to let legislators know of their concerns.

"I hope they're going to listen," she said.

Shortly after Nomakeo made the remark Elizabeth Cardona, the director of the governor's Western Massachusetts office, came to talk with the protesters.