Following a House vote that significantly waters down Governor Maura Healey’s proposed tax relief package and fundamentally changes the voter approved tax cap and rebate law known as Chapter 62F, the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance issued a statement condemning lawmakers for failing to do enough to keep Massachusetts economically competitive and subverting the will of Massachusetts voters.

“When lawmakers were shepherding through the income surtax amendment, they frequently cited the importance of following the will of the voters. Over the years it’s become increasingly clear they only feel bound to that will when it benefits them, such as approval of a tax increase or automatic pay raises for legislators. When voters pass tax relief laws, legislators have no issue ignoring them and we’re seeing that arrogance again on full display today. Even if you support the modest tax cuts the House approved, gutting Chapter 62F is a complete subversion of the intent and spirit of CLT’s successful tax cap ballot question and the will of the voters who endorsed it, thus a poison pill to the entire tax reform proposal,” noted Chip Ford, recently retired executive director of Citizens for Limited Taxation.

Earlier today, the American Legislative Exchange Council released their annual “Rich States, Poor States” ranking for all 50 states, and Massachusetts dropped four places due to the narrow passage of the millionaire’s tax last November. To view the report, please click here.

“Over the last three years, our state has seen a net loss of over 100,000 people. As the full effect of the income surtax amendment begins to be felt, we’re absolutely going to see that trend continue, but this time with a cohort composed of our largest taxpayers. Our economic competitiveness rankings are in free fall. If our state government is to address this issue and head it off before it becomes catastrophic, they need to take bold action. The changes to the estate and capital gains taxes put forth by the House won’t cut it and the Speaker’s attempt to gut the voter approved tax cap and rebate law known as 62F is nothing more than provocation to the taxpayers,” stated Paul Diego Craney, spokesperson for Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.