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Soda Tax

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Patrick Files $34.8 Billion Budget Proposal Wednesday

The plan focuses on investments in transportation and education while calling for an income tax increase coupled with a lower sales tax.

  In submitting his $34.8 billion budget to the Legislature Wednesday, Patrick said the proposed income tax hike is part of a comprehensive package aimed at investing in the state's infrastructure and in driving growth. The proposal asks for an increase in the income tax from 5.25 percent to 6.25 percent coupled with a reduction in the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent. It also doubles personal exemptions.  Despite the proposed income tax hike, Patrick says that low and modest-income workers will pay less in taxes under his proposal, and only the "more fortunate see a larger increase." "I do not submit this proposal lightly. I understand that many households in Massachusetts continue to struggle from the impact of the Great …

moe howard

7:16 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Good ol democrats. Spend spend spend. Hopefully more entitlements for the layabouts. So sick of it   more ›

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Effort to Tax Sodas Dies in the Legislature

Amendment withdrawn in face of opposition on new taxes.

Soda won't be taxed in Massachusetts, at least not any time soon. Although most Massachusetts voters want to see soda taxed, the effort did not have adequate support in the Legislature, with members wary of imposing any new taxes on the state's residents.  Representative Kay Khan (D-Newton) had proposed to lift the tax exemption on several beverages including sodas, juice drinks with less of 50 percent natural juice, and bottled coffee and tea drinks. The amendment was one of 275 attached to the 188-page health care reform bill, designed to cut $160 million in spending over the next 15 years. The amendment was backed by Reps. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester) and Carl Sciortino (D-Medford).  Khan had argued that soda is not food and should be …

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