Several Massachusetts ballot questions may have fallen by the wayside this week after action by the Supreme Judicial Court and state lawmakers.
The state's high court threw off of the ballot a question about a "millionaire's tax," which would have imposed an additional tax on any income over a million dollars. Lawmakers also agreed to a "grand bargain," which would gradually raise the minimum wage, require paid family leave and calls for a yearly sales-tax holiday. The deal would squash another ballot question about cutting the state's sales tax.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker changed his mind and decided againstsending a National Guard flight crew to the southern border. Baker's move came before the feds revised a policy that separated migrant parents from their children at the border.
State casino regulatorsapproved a requestby MGM Springfield to allow it to serve alcohol to those gambling until 4 a.m. The rule only applies to those actively gambling, but the casino will be the only establishment in the state where alcohol will be served past 2 a.m.
And finally, our Summer Fiction series began this week. Any good books lined up for the beach, or perhaps a hammock in the back yard?
- Larry Parnass, investigations editor, The Berkshire Eagle
- Natalia Muñoz, host, Vaya Con Muñoz