Boston.com headline today: Patrick Seeks Tax Freedom for Cities, Towns

I read that headline and thought about Patrick’s campaign promise: “I believe a rational revenue structure, sensible tax policy and fair distribution of state resources to cities and towns — so that property taxes can be lowered and kept low — are essential elements of a true partnership between state and local government.”

I read that headline and expected to read something that talked about how state revenue could be used to lower property taxes. If you were to ask me about tax freedom, I’d talk about lowering taxes. Maybe I’d bring up Tax Freedom Day. Either way, “tax freedom for cities and towns” is about lower taxes, one way or another. Maybe a leak or a trial ballon about the state budget proposal due on March 1, I thought?

Starting the article, I was quite surprised to find that “tax freedom” actually referred to tax increases! The article is about permitting states and towns to tax a wide range of economic activity. That’s not tax freedom!

I am dismayed by the bias of the headline. It could have said “Patrick seeks tax authority for cities and towns,” for instance; that phrase is much closer to politically neutral and the right length.

The actual text of the article was also biased. “After 16 years of Republican governors, Patrick may give Democrats more cover to vote for legislation that could be labeled ‘pro-tax’ by conservative opponents.” Could be labeled? Is the Globe trying to suggest that legislation that enables broad tax increases on the local level is anything other than “pro-tax?”

I look forward to next week’s Globe headlines: “Anti-Freedom Advocates Call for Lower Taxes,” or maybe “Freedom Fighters Demand Higher Taxes.”