Taxing Out-of-Staters Working From Home

For John, BLUF:  The COVID-19 Pandemic has opened a whole pandora's chest of issues, including tax issues.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Tax lawsuit against state strengthens

Here is the sub-headline:

14 states side with N.H.

From The [Lowell] Sun, by Reporter Sean Philip Cotter, 26 December 2020, although the link goes to the original of the story, in The Boston Herald.

Here is the lede plus three:

States are lining up against Massachusetts and siding with New Hampshire in the lawsuit over the the Bay State’s policy taxing the income of out-of-state residents telecommuting for Bay State companies amid the pandemic.

The Granite State had sued Massachusetts in October in the ongoing income- tax border battle over a temporary rule that imposes the state’s 5% income tax on employees of Massachusetts companies living and working remotely in other states.  New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and his state sued, asking the U. S. Supreme Court to take up the case after Gov. Charlie Baker extended the pandemicera rule.

New Hampshire continues to petition the Supreme Court to weigh in.

“Massachusetts has radically redefined what constitutes Massachusetts- sourced income in order to tax earnings for work performed entirely outside its borders,” New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon Macdonald fumed earlier this week in the state’s latest submission to the Supreme Court.  “This does not maintain the status quo. It upends it,” Macdonald said.

I am sympathetic with New Hampshire, and other states.  Yes, when their residents are using Massachusetts roads to commute to work, and have access to Massachusetts Police, Fire, and Medical aid, then they should pay Mass Taxes.  However, when their benefits are limited to fire protection for a server in Boston, then their tax liability should not extend to their whole salary.  The Police, Fire and Medical aid to which they will turn is in their own state.

Regards  —  Cliff

Home Schooling For Me, But Not for Thee

For John, BLUF:  There is a lot of arrogance across the fruited plain, and it is getting in the way of individual freedom and civil rights..  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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NHDem Senator: Working-Class Parents Don’t Have Intelligence to Oversee Their Kids’ Educations

From Inside Sources, by Mr Michael Graham, 11 June 2020.

Here is the lede plus four:

Working-class parents without college degrees aren’t capable of overseeing their own children’s education, according to comments State Sen. Jeanne Dietsch (D-Peterborough) made during a House Education Committee hearing on Tuesday.

Dietsch was speaking on behalf of a Senate bill that would repeal a law allowing the state Board of Education to create an alternative program for granting graduation credits, which became Learn Everywhere.

“This idea of parental choice, that’s great if the parent is well-educated.  There are some families that’s perfect for. But to make it available to everyone?  No.  I think you’re asking for a huge amount of trouble,” Dietsch said.

“Is it your belief that only well-educated parents can make proper decisions for what’s in the best interest of their children?”  asked a dumbfounded Rep. Glenn Cordelli (R-Tuftonboro).

Rather than saying “no,” Dietsch instead repeated her view that parents without college degrees are less capable of overseeing their children’s education.

There is a certain elitism out there that doesn't trust the hoi polloi.

And it make me wonder if many of our current leaders how those who went before us in total contempt.  Yes, they didn't know as much about the universe as we do, but they managed to give us a launching platform that has allowed us to do better than they did.  To paraphrase a former President, "You didn't create these United States by yourself.  Someone else did and you are just building upon that foundation."

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

TrollingPolling the Public

For John, BLUF:  I guess the first question below is a good way to gauge how strongly people feel about someone.  Frankly, I feel sorry for those who voted for the meteor.  They must go through life with a serious lack of hope and optimism.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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UMass Lowell:  Survey of New Hampshire Democratic Primary Voters

UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion, Dr. Joshua J. Dyck, Director; Dr. John Cluverius, Associate Director, 28-31 January 2020.

Two questions stood out for me:

• Page 11.  Which of the following outcomes would you prefer occur on November 3, 2020?
  • Donald Trump wins re-election
  • A giant meteor strikes the earth, extinguishing all human life

	Democrat	Independent	Male	Female
Trump victory	36	51	47	32
Meteor strike	64	49	53	68

Is this what we call Trump Derangement Syndrome?

• Page 17.  If the Democratic nominee for president wins in 2020, it is likely that they will face increased tensions with Iran. If Donald Trump has deployed ground troops to fight in Iran, would you rather the Democratic president deploy a surge of group troops to try to win the war quickly, or withdraw all ground troops immediately to prevent more American casualties?
• Escalate the war quickly
• Withdraw Immediately

	Democrat	Independent	Male	Female
Escalate	10	35	14	12
Withdraw	90	65	86	88

This is a great question, except it appears to be written by someone who is clueless about the President's policies in the Middle East.

Maybe I should offer myself as a pro bono advisor on survey questions that touch on foreign policy or military affairs.

Hat tip to my Brother John.

Regards  —  Cliff

Democrats in a Cacoon

For John, BLUF:  The Democrats don't know who they are.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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"I don't have anything to say about the debate.

Here is the sub-headline:

I say out loud after poking around on all sorts of articles

From The Althouse Blog, 8 February 2020.

Here is the last paragraph:

As for black people, Trump offers specific programs aimed at improving conditions for black people and impugns the Democrats for mismanagement of American cities and for taking the black vote for granted.  In response, the Democrats have taken the black vote for granted.

I missed the debate, but Professor Althouse captured a big truth, which echoes CNN News Commentator Van Jones, regarding the fact that President Trump is successfully going after Black voters..

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

The 2020 NH Primary, today

For John, BLUF:  Right now it is just Mental Floss, and of little planning value.  Makes some politicians feel good.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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New poll shows Elizabeth Warren leading the N.H. Democratic primary field

From The Boston Globe, by Staff Reporter James Pindell, 2 May 2018 .

Here are the first three paragraphs:

US Senator Elizabeth Warren has said she is focused on winning reelection in Massachusetts this year and not running for president in 2020 — but Democrats in the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state, New Hampshire, sure like the idea.

A new poll released Wednesday by the Suffolk University Political Research Center shows Warren as the front-runner for the next New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary.  When Warren is added to the pack of candidates, the Massachusetts Democrat leads former vice president Joe Biden, US Senator Bernie Sanders, and five other potential candidates.

“The results show the potency Warren has by just showing up.  Her presence on the ballot uniquely changes the game, to the point where whether she runs is one of the biggest question marks of the 2020 election,” said Suffolk pollster David Paleologos.

At this Link is the full Suffolk University Poll.

I noticed the Poll sofa nor include Mrs Clinton in the list of seven potential 2020 Democratic Party Primary contestants.

Here is the list offered:

• Former Mass Governor Deval Patrick
• Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe
• NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
• NJ Senator Cory Booker
• Calif Senator Kamala Harris
• Former VP Joe Biden
• VT Senator Bernie Sanders
• Mass Senator E Warren

Top of the list was Senator Warren (25.76%), followed by Veep Biden (20.00%).  The Undecideds came in third (18.31%).

But, as I said earlier today, it isn't certain we can count Mrs Clinton as out.

Regards  —  Cliff

Incredible

For John, BLUF:  It appears that there were thousands of fraudulent voters in New Hampshire November last.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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More than 5,000 out-of-state voters may have tipped New Hampshire against Trump

From The Washington Times and Reporter Rowan Scarborough, 7 September 2017.

Here is the lede plus three:

More than 6,500 people registered to vote in New Hampshire on Nov. 8 using out-of-state driver’s licenses, and since then the vast majority have neither obtained an in-state license nor registered a motor vehicle.

Conservatives say the state’s same-day registration is an invitation for fraud because of loose proof-of-residence rules.

New Hampshire House Speaker Shawn Jasper, a Republican, issued the numbers Thursday based on inquiries he made to the Department of State, which oversees elections, and the Department of Safety.

Since Election Day, Republicans have charged that a significant number of nonresident Democrats, principally from Massachusetts, flowed into New Hampshire to vote illegally, tilting a close race to their party.

If they film this, I envision a shot of a congo line of buses heading north on US Route 3, with Burt Reynolds in the blocker.  On the sound track we hear Jerry Reed singing:

We're going to do what they say can't be done.

Because we have been assured by Democrats that voter fraud just does not happen.

The nums?

Ms Clinton, at 47.6% (348,521 popular vote)

Mr Trump, at 47.2% (345,789 popular vote)

The dif?

2,732 votes

Hat tip to the InstaPundit.

Regards  —  Cliff