re: Spent a week in Boston, sales tax was a surprise!

If you have a higher sales tax (use tax) you also attract the money of those that participate in what we will call black market economies. Those people paid cash under the table or say barbers/hairdressers, lawn services, maid services, waiters/waitresses who normally might not pay their fair share. Also add in the massive amount of spending by drug dealers who normally don't pay income tax.