Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance Sues State Over Compelled Speech Requirements

Government demands for irrelevant information violate First Amendment, lawsuit says

October 10, 2018 • By IFS Staff • Press Releases

Alexandria, VA – Today, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance (MassFiscal), a nonpartisan nonprofit represented by the Institute for Free Speech, will file a federal lawsuit alleging that some Massachusetts campaign finance laws are unconstitutional. Unlike most states, Massachusetts requires ads that name candidates within 90 days of a general election to include a statement from a principal officer of the organization running the ad, a list of the organization’s top five contributors, and a link to a government website. The group believes this information is irrelevant and cannot be required in disclaimers.

Governor’s Tax Increases Raise Eyebrows of Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Head

The size of Governor Charlie Baker’s proposed tax increases has the head of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation concerned.

By NBP Staff | February 18, 2019, 17:28 EST

“I would say we’re not anti-tax, which is an important distinction. But we do want to make sure that your tax dollars are spent appropriately and efficiently. And I have to say I was surprised by the size of the tax increases. In total it’s about $600 million in new revenue that’s proposed in the governor’s budget,” said Eileen McAnneny, president of the pro-taxpayers organization, during an appearance Sunday on Keller at Large on WBZ-TV Channel 4 in Boston. “… These are $600 million in new taxes that come on the heels of tax increases last year, as well.”

Boston lawmaker Michlewitz tapped for influential Ways and Means Committee Chairman

By Chris Lisinski, State House News Service

Posted Feb 18, 2019, at 4:15 PM

BOSTON - House Democrats selected sixth-term Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, who worked for and then succeeded former House Speaker Sal DiMasi, to chair the influential Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, elevating a younger lawmaker favored by the party’s leadership.

Michlewitz, 40, takes the top spot on the House committee responsible for the state budget after chairing the Joint Committee on Financial Services for two terms. In an interview, he said he was “ready to get to work.”

“Keeping the Massachusetts economy strong is my number one priority,” he said. “We’re very blessed and lucky to have a very diverse economy here in Massachusetts, but one thing in the House that I’m very proud of that we’ve done is to lead the way on the different emerging segments of the economy and not only fostering that growth but making sure that we protect the consumer as well.”