Massachusetts Ballot to Include Sales Tax Cut Proposal

The Boston Herald reports that a referendum to reduce the state sales tax in Massachusetts will appear on the November 2 ballot.

If passed by the voters, the state sales tax would drop from 6.25% to 3%, starting January 1, 2011. The current 6.25% puts Massachusetts as the 30th highest state-local sales tax rate in the country; at 3%, they would be 46th highest.

From the Herald:

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.

More on Massachusetts here.