BOSTON -- One day after Gov. Deval Patrick announced sweeping state budget cuts to close a $223 million shortfall in state tax collections, a ballot question that aims to eliminate taxes on wages, interest, dividends and capital gains is getting renewed attention.

Get Rid Of Income Tax?

Under the terms of November's Question 1, the current 5.3 percent income tax rate would be phased out by cutting it in half on Jan. 1, 2009, and eliminating it altogether a year later.

"It is a great time for a taxpayer bailout. Voting yes on Question 1 will give back an average of $3,700 each to 3.4 million workers and taxpayers in Massachusetts who desperately need that money," said Carla Howell, of the Committee For Small Government.

Opponents predict property taxes will rise, and cuts will be made at police and fire departments, hospitals and schools.

"The Mass Taxpayers Foundation is an organization that has been as critical as anybody about state budgets and state spending -- but they are opposed to this question," said Peter Meade, of the Coalition For Our Communities.

If passed, Question 1 would also cost lawmakers about $11 billion in annual revenues.

Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi has suggested he would not let the question become law even if it was passed by voters.