Patrick: We Need to Increase Income Tax to Invest in Our Future

Tell us: do you think we need to increase taxes to strengthen education and transportation?

In his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night, Gov. Deval Patrick proposed raising the state's income tax by 1 percentage point and lowering the sales tax to pay for $2 billion in transportation improvements and early childhood education programs.  "There is no good time to raise taxes," Patrick said. "I know how tough the times have been on the people and families of the Commonwealth.  And though the worst of the recession is over, many, many families still face tough decisions and have deep anxiety about the future. I would not ask if I did not believe in my heart that investing meaningfully today in education and transportation will significantly improve our economic tomorrows."   Income tax hiked to 6.25 percent Patrick said…

•  66 Comments
• Photos (1)

Best of Patch

Winner - Favorite Staycation Spot

CoCo Key Water Resort in Danvers this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice winner and has been named the best area staycation spot.

The results are in and CoCo Key Water Resort has been named the best place in the area for a staycation, according to this week's Best of Patch poll. Coco Key, located on Ferncroft Road in Danvers, received 38 percent of the vote in this week's non-scientific poll, narrowly defeating King's Beach in Swampscott, which came in second place with 27 percent percent of the votes. Feel free review an area hot spot for yourself on our Patch Places page. Check back Monday morning to cast your vote in next week's poll, Marblehead's Best Liquor Store.

• Photos (1)

Best of Patch

Best of Patch Readers' Choice: Staycation

This week we want to know - where is your favorite local staycation spot?

This week it's time to vote for your favorite place to go when you want to decompress and get away from it all but don't feel like traveling. You can show your support by voting in our poll, clicking on the directory link below or writing a short review explaining why your favorite staycation spot is the best. Here are some popular area staycation spots. If your favorite place to go to get away from it all didn't make our list below, please let us know in the comments section and we'll be happy to add it. Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. on Friday. Because this poll is not scientific, it will not be the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by Patch editors, based on emails, poll results and …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Best of Patch

Winner - Marblehead's Best Florist

Flores Mantilla is this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice winner and has been named the best florist in Marblehead.

The results are in and Flores Mantilla has been named Marblehead's best florist, according to this week's Best of Patch contest. Flores Mantilla, located on Washington Street, received 43 percent of the vote in this week's non-scientific poll, narrowly defeating Flower House and Roses and Thistle.  We also had two positive reviews for Flores Mantilla submitted this week: Feel free review a local florist for yourself on our Patch Places page. Check back Monday morning to cast your vote in next week's poll, Marblehead's Best Mother's Day Brunch. 

• Photos (1)

Best of Patch

Best of Patch Readers' Choice: Florist

This week we want to know - who is the best florist in Marblehead?

This week it's time to vote for your favorite local florist. You can show your support by voting in our poll, clicking on the directory link below and writing a short review explaining why they're the best. Do you have a place in town where you always go when you need fresh flowers? Is there only one business that you trust with your garden?  Here are some of the flower shops that were already in our directory. If your favorite place to pick up flowers isn't included in our list below, please let us know in the comments section and we'll be happy to add it. Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. on Friday. Because this poll is not scientific, it is not the sole consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Diane Wolf

10:05 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012

I must admit, I really miss Osbourne's.   more ›

Best of Patch

Winner - Marblehead's Best Tax Professional

Bishop Associates is this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice winner and has been named the best place to bring your taxes in Marblehead.

The results are in and Bishop Associates was named the best place to take your taxes in Marblehead, according to this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice Contest. Bishop Associates received 48 percent of the vote in our non-scientific poll and we received several emails this week from satisfied customers. Carlton Healy & Frederick came in second, securing 35 percent of the vote. On Thursday, E. Gass reviewed Bishop Associates, and said: "Jim has been doing my taxes for more than 20 years. Always on top of the latest tax codes and changes. I highly recommend Bishop Associates." Feel free review a local tax professional for yourself on our Patch Places page. Check back early Monday morning for next week's poll: Marblehead's Best Sports Shop.

• Photos (1)

Best of Patch

Best of Patch Readers' Choice: Tax Professional

We want to know who you think is the best tax professional in town.

Please vote for your favorite local tax professional by taking part in our poll, clicking on the directory link below and writing a short review. This week's Best of Patch contest is all about taxes. Do you have someone in town you always trust come tax season? Is there someone can count on to do a great job? Here are some of the tax professionals we found in our directory. If we're leaving anyone off of the list, please let us know in the comments section below and we'll be happy to add them. Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. on Friday. Because this poll is not scientific, it is not the sold consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by Patch editors, based on emails, poll results and reviews on Patch …

• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Best of Patch

Winner - Marblehead's Best Hair Salon

Studio V Hair and Spa is this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice winner and has been named the best hair salon in Marblehead.

The results are in and Studio V Hair and Spa was named the best salon in Marblehead, according to this week's Best of Patch Readers' Choice Contest. Studio V Hair and Spa received 16 percent of the vote, and although Bliss Salon and Passionate Hair by Kelly finished first and second in our non-scientific poll, we were swayed by the outpouring of support from Studio V customers.  Throughout the week we were sent more than a dozen emails from Studio V regulars who raved about the quality of the cuts they provide. We also had 11 comments on our Best of Patch Readers' Choice post that said Studio V was the best. Here are some of the comments we received: Miranda Sweeney: "The only place I would ever go to get a fabulous haircut is at studio v …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)

Best of Patch

Best of Patch: Hair Salons

We want to know which local hair salon you think is the best in Marblehead.

Please vote for your favorite hair salon in Marblehead by voting in our poll, clicking on the directory link below and writing a short review. This week's Best of Patch contest is all about hair stylists. Do you have a favorite salon in town? Is there only one person you trust with your hair? Here are some of the places we love, but if we're leaving one off of the list, please let us know in the comments section below and we'll be happy to add it. Voting in the poll below is open until 9 a.m. on Friday. Because this poll is not scientific, it is not the sold consideration in choosing a winner. The winner will be determined by Patch editors, based on poll results and reviews on Patch Places. To review a local salon, click on its name in the…

•  33 Comments
• Photos (2)