BOSTON - Gov.-elect Deval Patrick's plan to give cities and towns new taxing powers. Instead of raising property taxes, the political leadership discuss giving cities and towns the option of raising meal, hotel and other taxes. The meal tax proposed letting local governments increase the 5-percent meals tax by at least 1 percentage point.

How much tax does it take to kill a thriving restaurant industry? How much tax does it tax to kill industry expansion or make it impossible for low-income homeowners to live affordably? What does to take for political leaders to refocus the target on reducing government overhead?

Gimmick new taxes don’t fly under the radar without bad effects. High taxes reduce demand and incentive in the long run.