New England Patriots Defensive Linemen Sack Massachusetts Millionaires Tax

By Lance Reynolds
Boston Herald
(TNS)

Two Patriots defensive linemen say they are not fans of Massachusetts’ “millionaires tax,” siding with former head coach Bill Belichick that players prefer states without income taxes.

Davon Godchaux and Keion White spoke about financial freedom and literacy Wednesday on Godchaux’s “ChauxTalk” podcast, days after Belichick hinted the millionaires tax makes it hard for New England to sign top free agents.

“Nah, you know what pissed me off too? When I got here they got that extra 4% millionaires tax out here, too,” White told Godchaux. “That’ll get you too.”

Godchaux responded, “Absolutely. Massachusetts is bad with state taxes, too. It’s terrible. It’s right up there with New York and LA. I just heard Bill Belichick spoke about it … how it was tough to sign free agents in Massachusetts because of the state tax.

“I mean guys these days, if you can sign with a team with no state tax, then go ahead and sign with them because that’s more money you keep in your pocket,” the defensive tackle said.

The voter-approved millionaires tax delivered roughly $2.2 billion last fiscal year, a massive haul exceeding original projections set by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration with the surtax designated for transportation and education projects

Beacon Hill decided to spend only $1 billion in surtax revenue in the fiscal year 2024 budget and left any dollars collected beyond that threshold for reserve accounts.

Roughly $524 million went toward education initiatives including $229 million to allow those 25 and older to obtain a degree or certificate for free through any community college. Another $477 million was marked for education projects, including improving accessibility at MBTA stations.

But Godchaux and White highlighted how they’re unaware of how the tax money is being spent.

“What in the Bible says you have to pay taxes? That’s what kills me, though,” Godchaux said. “They say the tax money goes to roads and all that. The roads are still messed up. Where’s the money going? That’s the only thing I have a (problem) about.”

White agreed and brought up the importance of voting.

“A lot of the money is being spent in dumb ways,” he said. “It’s 2024, we should be able to decide where our money goes. Like every time you file your taxes, you can click programs you want to distribute your taxpayer money into.”

White, a 25-year-old defensive end picked in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $7.7 million contract last summer. Godchaux, 29, agreed to a two-year extension worth up to $21 million, with $16.5 million in guaranteed money, last month.

“When you get paid, when I get paid, you have federal taxes, you have state taxes, you’ve got agent fees and then you have to live off the rest,” Godchaux said. “Everybody thinks when you sign a $20 million contract that all $20 million is going to come to you, no.”

Belichick, who left Foxboro in January after a legendary run and is set to serve as a TV analyst this season, made his case Monday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“It’s Taxachusetts,” he said. “Virtually every player, even the practice squad, well the minimum players are pretty close to $1 million so once you hit that $1 million threshold then you pay more state tax in Massachusetts. It’s just another thing you have to contend with in negotiations up there.”

_______