Sales tax question appears headed to MA ballot
A proposal to cut the Massachusetts sales tax rate by more than half appears headed for the November ballot.
Supporters of the question delivered nearly 14,000 signatures to the secretary of state's office on Wednesday - more than the final 11,099 required to secure a spot on the ballot.
The initiative would reduce the sales tax rate from 6.25 to 3 percent, a move that would cost the state up to $2.4 billion in annual revenue beginning Jan. 1.
Carla Howell, the chief supporter of the ballot question, said the state would be able to cut that much while not affecting spending by city and town governments.
Critics, including all four candidates for governor, say there's no way the state could absorb the loss in revenue without deep cuts, including reducing local aid to cities and towns.
