Did you see this tweet from the State House News Service?

House members were just instructed to go to a lounge to debate state budget amendments pertaining to public safety and the judiciary. If you are wondering about details of that debate, you'll have to find out from the reps themselves as it's a members-only gathering. #mapoli

— State House News (@statehousenews) April 23, 2019

The House is expected to begin debate on amendments to the state budget today. First up, are amendments that deal with revenue, aka tax hikes or new taxes. 

MassFiscal was pleased to see the Governor’s tax hike proposal to the real estate excise tax (Stamp Tax) was not included in the budget and not included as an amendment idea, but we were disappointed to learn that Representative Jones (R-Reading), the Republican House Minority Leader, proposed to reinstate two tax increases that were included in the Governor’s original budget, but were left out of the House Way and Means version. 

Boston – The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance released the following statement in response to legislation in Michigan that would subject both legislators and the Governor’s office to the state’s public records laws.

The bipartisan proposal has the support of leadership and is currently working its way through the legislative process.  If signed into law, Massachusetts would be isolated as the last state in the country that excludes both the legislature and Governor’s office from Freedom of Information Act requests. For more on Michigan, click here.