Millionaire’s tax

Sales tax boon – or not?

Economy

Sales tax boon – or not?

New tax decision said to be about creating equity

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It’s going to cost some people a little more to make online purchases after the Supreme Court ruled in a case involving Massachusetts-based Wayfair that states can collect sales tax on purchases by residents no matter where the seller is located. For many states, that not only clears up confusion stemming from a 25-year-old decision that said(...)

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The Download/ Economy

Sales tax boon – or not?

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It’s going to cost some people a little more to make online purchases after the Supreme Court ruled in a case involving Massachusetts-based Wayfair that states can collect sales tax on purchases by residents no matter where the seller is located. For many states, that not only clears up confusion stemming from a 25-year-old decision that said(...)

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Grand bargain talks can now begin in earnest

Economy/ Politics

Grand bargain talks can now begin in earnest

Deal remains possible with millionaire tax dead, but it likely will be costly

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Now that the millionaire tax is dead, state leaders can finally get down to work. The millionaire tax was a great excuse for doing nothing. As long as the question was on the ballot and its poll numbers remained high, the millionaire tax’s $2 billion-a-year haul was the answer to just about everything. Fix the(...)

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The Download/ Economy/ Politics

Grand bargain talks can now begin in earnest

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Now that the millionaire tax is dead, state leaders can finally get down to work. The millionaire tax was a great excuse for doing nothing. As long as the question was on the ballot and its poll numbers remained high, the millionaire tax’s $2 billion-a-year haul was the answer to just about everything. Fix the(...)

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SJC knocks millionaires tax off November ballot

Courts/ Politics

SJC knocks millionaires tax off November ballot

Court rules provisions of question not sufficiently related

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THE SUPREME JUDICIAL ruled that a proposal to raise taxes on high earners in Massachusetts cannot appear on the November ballot because it violates a constitutional provision requiring that all the elements of such a question be “related” or “mutually dependent.” The eagerly-awaiting ruling is a huge blow to public sector unions and other liberal(...)

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Our wheezing democracy

Economy/ Politics

Our wheezing democracy

Conflicting ballot questions underscore inaction on Beacon Hill

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WHO ARE YOU going to turn to make important decisions affecting the state? The sluggish Legislature or schizophrenic, knee-jerk electorate? Those seem to be the less-than-compelling options at this point in dealing with a set of questions that will have enormous implications for the state’s budget and initiatives we look for it to fund. Lawmakers(...)

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The Download/ Economy/ Politics

Our wheezing democracy

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Who are you going to turn to make important decisions affecting the state? The sluggish Legislature or schizophrenic, knee-jerk electorate? Those seem to be the less-than-compelling options at this point in dealing with a set of questions that will have enormous implications for the state’s budget and initiatives we look for it to fund. Lawmakers(...)

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Taxes don’t make millionaires move

Economy/ Politics/ Opinion

Taxes don’t make millionaires move

National study shows very little migration driven by levy hikes

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MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATORS APPROVED the so-called Fair Share Amendment last week, setting the stage for it to appear on the 2018 statewide ballot, where voters will decide whether to impose a “millionaire’s tax” on top income-earners to fund transportation and education. Critics will undoubtedly raise one important question: If the state passes this tax, will large(...)

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The Download/ Politics

The politics of the millionaire’s tax

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General Electric’s Jeffrey Immelt, trying very hard to fit in as the new neighbor, said on Monday that he wouldn’t mind if Massachusetts voters approved a constitutional amendment implementing a millionaire’s tax. “I think whatever happens happens, and will impact us just like it impacts everybody else,” said GE’s CEO. “Really, I think, believe it(...)

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