Mayor Wu’s Boston Tax Bill Fails to Pass in Time & Natural Gas is Safe

While many of you were up early getting ready to start your day this morning, the Massachusetts legislature was wrapping up a marathon end-of-session. We know you’re on the edge of your seat to know how it all panned out, and we have some great news!

Over the past several months, MassFiscal has been running very aggressive campaigns so people can easily contact their elected officials directly to let them know their thoughts on bad pieces of legislation for the taxpayers. So here is how it all panned out.

• The municipal tax increase bill filed by the Governor that would allow municipalities to increase taxes on meals, hotels, and vehicles didn’t make it off the ground! Victory!
• A “Real Estate Transfer fee” tax hike that would allow municipalities to add an additional sales tax on properties was tucked into an original housing bond bill, but wasn’t included in the final version that passed early this morning. Victory!
• Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s effort to raise commercial property taxes failed, only passing in the House and not the Senate, leaving the Mayor scrambling to find other ways to pay for all her ‘free’ stuff. Victory!
• There was a push to impose a residency requirement on our right-to-shelter law and the Governor recently did a 180 degree policy change and issued an order that would essentially prioritize certain residents in accessing emergency shelter. Victory!
• Climate legislation that would increase electricity bills, prevent natural gas companies from repairing their infrastructure, and give the Department of Public Utilities the authority to cut off natural gas to people didn’t make it across the finish line! Victory!
• Tucked into an economic development bill was a section that would expand the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) in public construction projects, which would result in taxpayers paying more for less. This failed to pass last night. Victory!

What an incredible way to end a session! Your voices were heard because your elected officials knew you were tuned in.

Egos may be bruised at the State House, but taxpayers should feel pretty good right now. Legislative leaders did not get their way with a handful of pieces of legislation and the everyday taxpaying residents of Massachusetts won. MassFiscal is pleased to have played a lead role during this legislative session with a voice protecting YOU, the everyday taxpayer. We are the first and the last wall of resistance before another set of tax hike policies become law and we will not break. Our commitment lies with YOU, the everyday taxpayer and we will continue to disrupt the plans of State House leaders. You can breathe a sigh of relief for now!