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'Fair Share Amendment' Finds Opposition From Economic Development Agency Head

Rick Sullivan, president of the Western Mass Economic Development Council.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen
/
The Republican / masslive.com
Rick Sullivan, president of the Western Mass Economic Development Council.

The head of an economic development agency in western Massachusetts says the so-called "Fair Share Amendment" could hurt the region.

Lawmakers this week voted to put the constitutional amendment on the state's 2022 ballot.

It will ask voters whether to approve a 4% surtax on annual household income over $1 million.

Rick Sullivan, president of the Western Mass Economic Development Council, said the state has held a competitive advantage over Connecticut for years. That's because of a clear, concise policy on growing the economy and taxation.

"When businesses are making decisions about where they are going to locate, where they're going to operate, where they're going to employ people from — those things matter," Sullivan said. "I think to give up that advantage is shortsighted, particularly as we come out of COVID,". 

Sullivan — a former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs who was also mayor of Westfield — said he has issues with how the surtax would be implemented.

"I really don't think it's the way to set taxing policy, by adding it into the constitution," he said. "I think it really leaves no flexibility in the future."

Supporters say the surtax could generate more than $2 billion per year in Massachusetts, earmarked for education and transportation, without dipping into the pockets of most residents.

Advocates for the amendment have been holding rallies in western Massachusetts this week to drum up support. 

Material from State House News Service was used in this report. 

Adam joined NEPM as a freelance reporter and fill-in operations assistant during the summer of 2011. For more than 15 years, Adam has had a number stops throughout his broadcast career, including as a news reporter and anchor, sports host and play-by-play announcer as well as a producer and technician.
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