"Governor Maura Healey, who this week swore off raising state taxes, unveiled sweeping legislation Friday that would allow towns and cities to raise their taxes on hotel stays, cars, and meals by as much as 33 percent to help bolster their local coffers.The sprawling bill has the backing of municipal leaders, and if embraced by the Legislature, could generate more than $150 million in new annual tax revenue for towns and cities juggling tight budgets, state officials estimated.Healey also is seeking a series of other major changes, including allowing local officials to set caps on the number of liquor licenses distributed in their city or town, a power long-held by the Legislature. The governor said she is proposing to make permanent a raft of pandemic-era rules, such as allowing restaurants to sell to-go cocktails.Speaking to reporters Friday, Healey said the package of changes “empowers the local communities” and does not affect the revenue the state relies on for its budget."
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Local taxes on meals, hotels could rise under Healey plan
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Consensus on the MA revenue forecast remains to be set but 2 hours of hearing updates gets it started
"TOP BUDGET OFFICIALS from the Legislature say they intend to abide by the will of the voters and make sure all revenue from the new millionaire tax goes to “new initiatives” in transportation and education.Exactly what would qualify as a “new initiative” hasn’t been decided yet (is a new bus or subway car a new initiative?), nor has any decision been made on whether the money would be evenly split between education and transportation.“That’s all to be discussed,” said Sen. Michael Rodrigues, the chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee."
"STATE REVENUES are expected to rise slightly in the coming fiscal year, but top budget officials from the Legislature and Healey administration say it’s still unclear whether there is enough money to enact permanent tax cuts.At the end of last year’s legislative session, former governor Charles Baker and Senate leaders wanted to press ahead with $500 million in permanent tax cuts in addition to nearly $3 billion in one-time refunds from the state’s tax cap law."
"State revenue officials said Tuesday they could collect at least $1.4 billion — and perhaps up to $1.7 billion — next fiscal year from Massachusetts’ newly enshrined tax on its wealthiest earners, kick-starting months of debate over how to steer the new injection of tax money.The projection, offered Tuesday in a legislative hearing, marked the first official estimate state officials have provided on what they think the so-called “millionaires tax” will contribute to coffers in its first year since taking effect Jan. 1. Narrowly passed by voters on the November ballot, the measure increases the state’s 5 percent income tax rate to 9 percent on annual income exceeding $1 million."
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Sales tax-free weekend starts Saturday in MA
"It should be a big weekend for television and appliance sales in Massachusetts — the annual sales tax holiday starts on Saturday.
This weekend, shoppers can buy most retail items without paying 6.25 percent in sales taxes, as long as those items cost less than $2,500 each. That means consumers could save as much as $156 per item if they buy on Saturday or Sunday.
Consumers can purchase as many of those products as they want, sales tax-free, even if the total bill exceeds $2,500, according to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Certain items are not eligible for the tax exemption, including meals, cars, boats, and utilities. Tobacco and marijuana products, as well as alcoholic beverages, are also excluded."
JOE RAEDLE/GETTY |
Saturday, October 10, 2020
In the News: decline in cigarette tax stamp sales may exceed forecast
From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:
"Cigarette sales in Massachusetts were down by 24% in August, according to convenience store owners, and the state has seen a nearly $32 million drop in tobacco excise taxes in the three months since its first-in-the-nation ban on menthol cigarettes took effect.
The decline in cigarette tax stamp sales would put Massachusetts on pace to exceed the $93 million in foregone revenue projected by the Department of Revenue last year from the menthol and mint cigarette ban.
The New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association said the ban has pushed sales to neighboring states, including New Hampshire and Rhode Island where overall cigarette sales were up 65% and 17% in August, respectively. New Hampshire saw a 91% spike in menthol cigarette sales alone in August, and Rhode Island’s coffers benefited from 40% bump in menthol sales.
The ban on menthol cigarettes in Massachusetts took effect on June 1, and while public officials were willing to give up some revenue for the public health benefits of banning all types of flavored tobacco, convenience stores say residents are simply bringing the products back from other states."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201009/stores-say-mass-tax-drop-reflects-shift-in-cigarette-sales?rssfeed=true
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
In the News: "Gov Baker touts tax-free weekend, $2M local biz ad campaign"
"Gov. Charlie Baker visited a bicycle shop in Belmont on Tuesday, admitting after a tour that he and his wife, Lauren, have “kicked the idea around for awhile” of buying themselves bikes.Baker insisted, “No, I wasn’t shopping,” but suggested he might take his own advice this weekend and go out to get himself two new wheels during the the state’s annual sales tax holiday weekend.“I think it would be great if everybody who’s looking to buy pretty much anything that they’ve been putting off or that they might do at some point down the road to find a way to go out and make that happen,” Baker said Tuesday, after touring the award-winning WheelWorks bike shop, co-owned by Clint Paige.The official reason for Baker’s visit was to draw attention to the upcoming tax-free weekend and announce a $2 million ad campaign that will run through the end of the year, encouraging residents to shop, dine out and travel at local stores and destinations."
Saturday, October 19, 2019
MassBudget: Gas Tax Hikes May Challenge Long-Term Revenue Sustainability and Equity
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Tuesday, September 17, 2019
MassBudget: How Do Mass. Business Taxes Compare to Other States?
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Saturday, August 3, 2019
"the burden of trying to get this done for two of our busiest days of the week outweighed any possible benefit"
"When shoppers hit the malls and Main Streets later this month during the state’s tax-free weekend, their lunch or dinner will continue to be taxed at 6.25 percent or higher after the Legislature Wednesday voted to exclude meals from the sales tax holiday.
The change was made at the request of Gov. Charlie Baker and restaurant owners who were concerned about their ability to implement a two-day tax holiday, and whether the cost of trying would outweigh any benefit.
Bob Luz, the president the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said restaurants don’t have the capability when applying taxes to a check to separate food from alcohol.
“I think at the end of the day when everybody realized what had happened, the governor quite honestly had one of two options, either include alcohol or don’t,” Luz said."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190802/baker-legislature-rolling-back-tax-holiday-on-meals
Sunday, December 23, 2018
In the News: tax deal on short term rental units; House hires a HR director
"With the clock ticking on the end of the two-year session, House and Senate leaders finalized a deal Thursday to tax and regulate short-term housing rentals through websites like Airbnb, reviving a bill that passed in July but was imperiled by concerns raised by Gov. Charlie Baker.
The new version still would apply the 5.7 percent hotel and motel room tax to units rented on a short-term basis. Legislative leaders, however, agreed to a change proposed by Baker that would exempt homeowners who rent out their units for 14 or fewer days a year from having to collect the tax.
The House and Senate also agreed to postpone an extra Boston Convention and Exhibition Center financing fee on short-term units rented in Boston, Cambridge, Worcester, Springfield, West Springfield and Chicopee for about 10 years, or until the bonds on the BCEC are paid.
“We’re excited that we were able to accomplish this before the end of the year because there were a lot of twists and turns throughout the process, but we got it done,” said state Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the co-chair of the Committee on Financial Services."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/house-senate-agrees-to-baker-proposals-on-short-term-rental-tax
AirBnB screen grab |
"The Massachusetts House has hired a woman with experience running human relations for Raytheon Co. and Bright Horizons Family Solutions to serve as the House’s human resources director, a new position created as the branch works to update its policies dealing with harassment reporting and prevention.
The House Committee on Rules announced on Thursday that it has appointed Katherine Palmer, who has most recently worked as a human resources consultant, to serve as the House’s chief of human resources for a two-year term. The committee said Palmer specializes in “employee relations, workforce planning, employment law and establishing governance and compliance practices.”
In March, the House adopted a package of new rules -- recommended by the House counsel and a team of attorneys hired to study the House’s policies around workplace sexual harassment -- that included a new investigation process for harassment claims and new human resources employees, including a director of human resources."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181222/house-hires-hr-director
Thursday, February 8, 2018
“As this new industry is established: simpler is better”
"From standardizing community host agreements to allowing porta-potties on outdoor pot farms, speakers at a public hearing Wednesday offered many suggestions on how to tweak regulations governing recreational pot, with particular emphasis on helping small farmers succeed in the nascent industry.
“There’s no ganja like farm-grown ganja,” said Eric Schwartz, co-founder of Farm Bug Cooperative, a cooperative of farmers which will be applying for a craft marijuana cultivator cooperative license. “I think Massachusetts can be a shining example for the rest of the country in ending the failed marijuana prohibition policy.”
About 100 people gathered at the Worcester Public Library Wednesday morning for a public hearing on draft regulations governing the adult use of cannabis in the state. The meeting was hosted by members of the Cannabis Control Commission, and was one of several being held throughout the state to solicit feedback on the draft regulations - which oversee everything about the cannabis trade from seed to consumption."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180207/small-farmers-focus-of-pot-hearing
MA Cannabis Control Commission webpage |
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
“There’s a lot of uncertainty now”
"Town Council will discuss an increase in retail marijuana tax at a meeting on Wednesday. The one percent increase would bring the total tax to three percent.
The original legislation on the ballot in 2016 indicated that the sales tax on recreational marijuana was allowed at two percent. Recent legislation has amended the law, allowing municipalities to tax up to three percent. The motion in front of the town council will confirm or deny the tax increase.
The state is due to start accepting applications for retail marijuana facilities on April 1, and since Franklin is one of the municipalities that is already zoned and does not have a moratorium, the town likely see a few.
State Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, said that anytime revenue can be sought without adding to property taxes is a positive, and will always help town governments."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180122/franklin-council-to-discuss-marijuana-tax-increase
“There’s a lot of uncertainty now” |
The agenda and documents released for the Town Council meeting can be found online
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/01/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-jan-24.html
Thursday, January 11, 2018
MassBudget: How the MBTA is held back by slow growth of its major funding source
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Monday, August 7, 2017
“It was supposed to be temporary, but it became permanent”
"After eight years of a 6.25 percent sales tax, some retailers are calling for a change.
The Retailers Association of Massachusetts is looking to put a lower tax rate on the ballot, placing the rate in the hands of voters in the November 2018 election.
Bill Rennie, the association’s vice-president, said retailers had been concerned about the government’s failure to pass a sales tax holiday. Beyond that, he said, the state’s store-owners must compete with tax-free New Hampshire and untaxed Internet sales.
“The Internet is never going away, and we’re not under the impression that it will,” he said. “What smart tax policy can do is make sure we’re operating on a level playing field.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170806/voters-could-decide-on-lower-tax-rates
https://www.simonfurniture.com/ |
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
In the News: FY 2018 first month revenues; possible sale tax cut for ballot question
"The Massachusetts Lottery surpassed the $1 billion mark in net profits for the first time in its history, raking in $1.035 billion in fiscal 2017 despite declining sales, officials announced Monday.
Estimated sales of $5.093 billion for the fiscal year that ended June 30 dropped below the $5.233 billion in sales the previous year, which marked an all-time high, Lottery executive director Michael Sweeney said Monday at a Lottery Commission meeting.
The Lottery reported a record high of $915 million in Keno sales, attributing it in part to a continued expansion of agents offering the game. Meanwhile, Powerball sales fell by $47.2 million from fiscal 2016 and instant ticket sales dropped 2.7 percent to $3.5 billion."Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170801/sales-and-payouts-down-profits-up-at-state-lottery
"Massachusetts voters in November 2018 may have a major tax cut on their ballot to go along with a proposed surtax on high income households.
Retail industry officials are poised to file initiative petitions that would reduce the 6.25 percent sales tax rate to either 5 percent or 4.5 percent, the News Service has learned.
“Massachusetts small businesses that employ thousands of workers are significantly disadvantaged when competing with stores in tax-free New Hampshire and big online retailers,” Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, said in a statement. “Reducing the state sales tax will help small business remain competitive, while also putting money back in the pockets of those who need it most including seniors on fixed incomes and working class families.”
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20170801/retailers-will-file-sales-tax-cut-ballot-question
For reference
Governor Baker signs the FY 2018 budget
http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2018/governor-baker-signs-fiscal-year-2018-budget.html
Franklin Town Council 2nd budget hearing for FY 2018
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/05/franklin-ma-town-council-budget-hearing.html
Franklin Town Council approves FY 2018 budget
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2017/05/live-reporting-town-council-budget.html
new turf field surfaces were the result of several years of saving for the eventual replacement to avoid the one time cost |
Friday, December 23, 2016
In the News: recreational marijuana sale rules moved along; dangerousness hearing rescheduled
"The Town Council progressed this week with a new set of rules to govern the sale of recreational marijuana in town.
The council considered - and gave preliminary approval to - a set of bylaw changes at its Wednesday night meeting. The changes include a local tax on marijuana sales, and regulations as to where a marijuana facility might be housed.
Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said the changes reflected a desire to be proactive in regulating recreational use in town. Under the terms of the ballot question, marijuana sales will not be allowed until January 2018.
"This is step one in addressing what I think will be a lot of issues that not only Franklin but communities across the commonwealth will be dealing with in the coming years," he said."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/franklin-council-considers-marijuana-rules
"A dangerousness hearing for a Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School student accused of threatening to "shoot up" the school has been pushed back as attorneys continue negotiations.
The hearing, which had been scheduled to take place Thursday in Wrentham District Court, would have considered whether Julius Willis, 18, of 503 Ellis Road in North Attleborough, should continue to be held without bail. The defense and prosecution, however, asked Judge Steven Thomas to push the case back a week, saying they had nearly reached an agreement on possible conditions of release.
Thomas set a new hearing date for Dec. 29. Willis will continue to be held until at least that date."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20161222/hearing-for-tri-county-student-delayed