Mass. House to debate 1.25 percent sales tax hike

[graywarrior]

Plan rejects additional gas taxes

By Steve LeBlanc / Associated Press

BOSTON - House lawmakers today are expected to debate a plan backed by Democratic leaders to increase the Massachusetts sales tax by 1.25 percent as they take up their version of the state budget.

The move would raise the sales tax to 6.25 percent from 5 percent and generate an extra $900 million a year in revenues at a time when the state is struggling with plunging revenues, rising unemployment and a deteriorating transportation infrastructure.

The plan — a copy of which was given to The Associated Press — rejects any other tax increases, including proposals to raise the state income tax rate or apply the sales tax to a range of services that currently are exempt from it.


link
http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/articles/2009/04/27/updates/doc49f57d6b2ce6a724258591.txt

[Bill McBlueState]

1. that's too bad

When I lived in MA, I liked the 5% sales tax because it was so easy to calculate. But it *is* pretty low -- 6.25% probably wouldn't be a terrible burden on anyone.

[Ian David]

2. That's a regressive tax. Not what we need. n/t