Both branches gaveled out Monday without advancing any resolution scheduling the sales tax holiday, and they do not plan to return until Thursday, which is the deadline for action. ![]() Lawmakers have until June 15 to agree to a date, and if they fail to do so, the revenue commissioner has until July 1 to do so. The 2018 “grand bargain” law that raised the minimum wage, outlined a state paid family and medical leave program, and phased out time-and-a-half pay on Sundays and holidays instructed Beacon Hill to temporarily lift the sales tax one weekend each August.Īs part of that law, retailers backed away from their plans to put on the statewide ballot a proposal to roll the sales tax back to 5%, the rate it was at for years before the Legislature in 2009 raised it as part of a budget-balancing package. When we look at, you know, access to education, access to health care, access to reproductive health care, protection of civil rights, protection of voting rights, protection of LGBTQ rights - all of these things are really important to a lot of people, including a lot of employers.” But there’s so many reasons why people should stay in Massachusetts, should come to Massachusetts. ![]() ![]() “We talked about tax relief, we talked about housing and the importance of working to reduce housing costs, child care costs and the like. “There’s a lot we need to do and continue to do to be competitive,” Healey said. Some Republicans, including her predecessor, unsuccessfully pursued that idea.Īsked whether she viewed a lengthier suspension of the 6.25% sales tax as a way to boost competitiveness, Healey instead pivoted to the pitch that she regularly uses to explain why she thinks people should stay in - or move to - Massachusetts. Maura Healey, who has pitched permanent tax relief measures as a necessary step to reduce the cost of living in Massachusetts and make the Bay State more competitive among its peers, was noncommittal about whether she would put her political muscle behind a sales tax holiday expansion. “No, we’re not there yet,” Spilka replied Monday when asked about offering a longer break from the levy. House Speaker Ron Mariano, who was with Spilka as she made her declaration, did not take issue publicly with the dates declared by the Senate leader.Īnd while Spilka said she “know people look forward to the weekend” that business leaders view as a major boon, there appears to be little interest among Beacon Hill Democrats in expanding the annual sales tax holiday beyond one weekend in August, the requirement under a 2018 law. Setting the date requires the adoption of a resolution in both branches. “We will be doing a sales tax holiday August 12th, 13th, that weekend,” the Ashland Democrat said. ![]() With a Thursday deadline to set the dates approaching, Spilka told reporters the Legislature intends to select the second weekend in August to suspend the state’s 6.25% sales tax on most retail sales of less than $2,500. 12-13, Senate President Karen Spilka said Monday. BOSTON - Lawmakers intend to schedule this year’s mandatory sales tax holiday for the weekend of Aug.
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