Challenger criticizes Gobi on tax stance

Comtois says Spencer rep no friend of small business

By Bradford L. Miner, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

August 3, 2006

BROOKFIELD — Stephen J. Comtois II, Republican candidate for state representative in the 5th Worcester District, has challenged state Rep. Anne M. Gobi’s explanation of her vote against an amendment to House Bill 5200, which would have created a permanent sales-tax-free weekend in August.

“According to the National Federation of Independent Business in 2004, Rep. Gobi received an 80 percent rating that placed her 148th among her 173 Democrat colleagues in the House and Senate. Unfortunately, two years later she decided to abandon the principles that once placed her so high and vote in lock step with the House speaker who, according to the NFIB, is no friend of small businesses,” Mr. Comtois said. He said that on July 26 Ms. Gobi explained her vote against the amendment as a “prudent action to take so that a careful fiscal analysis is done to accurately show the true costs and benefits.”

“Trusting House Speaker Sal DiMasi to lead our state and protect our small business community is like trusting a fox with the henhouse. It’s disheartening to see that while in 2004, Rep. Gobi stood by small businesses, while today she stands in lock step with the speaker,” Mr. Comtois said.

Ms. Gobi said the state Department of Revenue is conducting a thorough analysis of the impact of the Republican-sponsored amendment and will report to the Legislature by year’s end.

“One of our major concerns is that a percentage of sales tax revenue has already been committed to the state’s school building assistance programs,” Ms. Gobi said.

The Spencer Democrat said she supports small businesses and she has family members who own small businesses.

If Mr. Comtois is that concerned about Mr. DiMasi, Ms. Gobi said, he can move to Boston and run against him in the 3rd Suffolk District.