Government Affairs - Detail

MLA Active on FY10 Budget

May 28, 2009

The MLA and the O’Neill and Associates team have been actively involved in the ongoing state budget process. Among the highlights:
• The MLA is speaking out against local option tax increases at legislative hearings and in meetings with key legislators. It is the MLA’s position that such proposals pit cities and towns against one another.
• MLA continues to call for protection of MOTT, RTC and Sports and Entertainment budgets. The MLA held a series of meetings with House and Senate leadership to advocate for the protection of these invaluable institutions. The House budget proposal included appropriations for both thanks in part to an intensive MLA lobbying campaign. The Senate Ways and Means proposal severely undercut MOTT and eliminated funding for RTCs and the Sports and Entertainment Commission, but thanks again to the MLA Government Affairs team’s intervention and the advocacy of Sens. Robert O’Leary (D-Cape and Islands) and Benjamin Downing (D-Pittsfield) – both good friends and supporters of the industry -- $6 million was returned to that proposal for RTC support, $1.25 million was restored for Sports and Entertainment and the MOTT line item was also increased by $1.25 million.
• Because of MLA advocacy, the taxation of vacation and corporate rentals is being given strong consideration in the FY10 budget. The House is considering these proposals in its municipal relief package to be debated soon, and the Senate included such a provision in its final budget proposal, passed late last week.
• A conference committee will likely be established this week to hash out the differences between the House and Senate budgets before sending it to the Governor’s desk.
• To view the Senate budget proposal and amendment actions, please click on the following link: http://www.mass.gov/legis/10budget/senate/index.htm. The House budget proposal and amendments adopted in April can be found here: http://www.mass.gov/legis/10budget/house/.
• The MLA will post updates and alerts as more information is available. If you would like more information or would like to contact your legislator, please call the MLA at 617-720-1776.