Mitt Romney's Tax Returns: $21.7 Million Income in 2010, $20.9 Million in 2011

Mitt Romney’s Tax Returns: $21.7 Million Income in 2010, $20.9 Million in 2011. Over the two years Romney disclosed, he’s paying approximately $6.2 million in federal income taxes. He paid about $3 million for 2010 for an effective tax rate of 13.9 percent, and he expects to pay about $3.2 million for 2011 at an effective rate of 15.4 percent. “I pay all the taxes that are legally required, not a dollar more,” Romney said. “I’m proud of the fact that I pay a lot of taxes.”  [Wall Street Journal / Washington Post]

A Lesson in Politics From Tim Thomas and the Bruins. Thomas, who opted out of attending the team’s visit to the White House yesterday, explained on his Facebook page:

“I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People. This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government. Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.”

Shortly thereafter, Bruins president Cam Neely did some politicking of his own with this statement:

“As an organization we were honored by President Obama’s invitation to the White House. It was a great day and a perfect way to cap our team’s achievement from last season. It was a day that none of us will soon forget. We are disappointed that Tim chose not to join us, and his views certainly do not reflect those of the Jacobs family or the Bruins organization.”

Support has poured in on Thomas’ Wall, but some columnists think it wasn’t the greatest move.  [Facebook]

Read Deval Patrick’s State of the Commonwealth Address. Some light reading in which Patrick talks jobs, community colleges, and the economy. Bonus points if did your “State of the …” homework and brushed up on Menino’s State of the City address, too.  [Boston.com]

Is Massachusetts the NIMBY Capital of the World? A question we recently posed, and one that Seth Jaffe takes up, too.  [Power Engineering]

Occupy UMass Boston: Yes, It’s True, and No, They Must Not Realize This Was Over Months Ago. Yawn.  [Boston Inno]