Politics & Government

Lawmakers Reject Proposed State Meals Tax Holiday

The measure would have lifted the state meals tax for a week in March.

State budget supplemental bills are seldom sources of excitement, but this week one such bill has the attention of restaurant owners.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives rejected a proposal Wednesday that would offer a week of no state meals tax, instead voting 116 to 39 to give the proposal to a commission for further evaluation.

A state meals tax holiday would not, however, lift the .75 percent that many communities, including North Andover, have put in place.

Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But still, the prospect for a holiday from the state meals tax was a welcome one for local residents who oppose meals taxes on state and local levels.

"I am disappointed as I truly believe this would have been a much needed boost for our small businesses and their employees," said Board of Selectmen Chair Tracy Watson, who has been a vocal opponent of meals taxes. "However, I am far from surprised by the outcome. Business as usual. However, I am thankful to Senator [Bruce] Tarr and the 56 other legislaters who supported the effort."

Find out what's happening in North Andoverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The proposal, offered by House Republicans, was an amendment to a $130 supplemental spending bill on Beacon Hill that would lift the state's 6.25 percent tax for a week in Match, from March 18 to 23. That time of the year is typically very slow for restaurants.

"It's by far the slowest week of the year," Jaime Faria of said.

Faria said a tax holiday would offer some relief for his regular customers.

"Will it drive more business? I doubt it," Faria said. "But you know what? It would be a great little bonus for folks who come in every day, so they don't have to pay the tax for a week."

State Rep. David Torrisi was one of the lawmakers who voted to send the proposal to a commission, saying he would like to see the idea studied more and reconsidered later this year.

“I’m generally supportive of the idea, and I voted against the meals tax in the past, but I’m just not sure if this is the right tie to do it,” Torrisi said.

Torrisi also said there were concerns from legislators from Cape Cod, because many restaurants on Cape Cod are closed in March.


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