I’ve recently received some correspondence along the following lines: Dear Senator William Brownsberger: Please vote no on an ACROSS THE BOARD tobacco tax increase. Smokeless tobacco does not pose the same health threats and general repugnancy as do cigarettes (with the exception of spittoons as ground litter.). Cigarette smoke affects lungs(aerobic fitness potential, etc.), nearby …
Budget
budget and local aid updates, community preservation act, financial outlook, local aid policy, priorities/requests, resources, revenue, taxes
Senate Passes Budget
Wednesday and Thursday of last week were long days as we plowed through 725 budget amendments. It was a relatively smooth year with fewer controversial issues. The budget was tight, but fewer programs were taking deep cuts so there was less anxiety overall than there has been for the past few years. My biggest concerns …
Senate Ways and Means Budget Released.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee released its budget draft for Fiscal 2014 today. It shaves total formula local aid overall just slightly, but some communities that have historically been shortchanged, notably Watertown, do a little better. In addition to making adjustments in the main local aid accounts it fully funds the special education circuit …
It's time for an excise tax on Bikes.
Other States are implementing them on sales of bikes over $499. A 10% sales tax should add a few million to the coffers and offset some of the cost of adding bike lanes. There should be no more free rides seeing the significant costs that motorist are bearing (gas tax, tolls, insurance, excise tax, and …
Senate Engrosses Bill Allocating Chapter 90 Funding
Yesterday, the Senate engrossed a bill that would allocate Chapter 90 funding for transportation projects, including repairs to roads and bridges, to support the infrastructure of Massachusetts cities and towns. This $300 million appropriaton reflects a $100 million increase over last year’s $200 million appropriation. The increase would be funded by revenue raised and dedicated by a transportation …
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FY14 Budget Priorities Letter to Senate Ways and Means
Senator Brownsberger has submitted a letter detailing his budget priorities to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. You can access the letter here: Budget Priority Letter- FY14. You can also review the text of the letter below. April 26, 2013 The Honorable Stephen M. Brewer Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and …
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