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Question 3: Cut State Sales Tax To 3%?

BOSTON (CBS) - On November 2, voters will decide if the state sales tax should be rolled back from 6.25 percent to 3 percent.

Supporters say this would put money in your pocket and force state government to cut wasteful spending.

Read: Question 3 Petition

Opponents say waste isn't all that would be cut; they say it would be potentially devastating for towns and cities.

The sales tax reduction would cut $992 million in state revenue from FY 2011, and $2.5 billion in 2012.

"The lower the tax, the more money we move out of Beacon Hill into the private sector, the more jobs we create," said Carla Howell of the Alliance To Roll Back Taxes.

Beverly Mayor Bill Scanlon argues that cutting that revenue would result in cuts to schools and local aid.

"This isn't a case of crying wolf.  This is a case of cutting off our arms and our legs if we go forward with this," he said.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association estimates Beverly would lose $1.3 million, that Brockton would lose $17.2 million, and Worcester would lose $26 million.

Various polls show this vote could be close.

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