Pioneer Institute

Massachusetts state senators, led by Sen. Jason Lewis, are pushing to repeal Chapter 62F, a tax cap law, through an amendment to an economic development bill. The move aims to prevent a fall tax-reform ballot question and has 20 cosponsors, but requires House and gubernatorial approval. Jim Stergios of the Pioneer Institute criticizes the effort as undermining voter initiatives.

Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court removed a proposed income tax cut question from the November ballot, citing a misleading summary by the attorney general’s office. The court ruled the summary incorrectly stated the tax cut’s impact on long-term capital gains, rendering the measure ineligible for voter consideration.

Massachusetts is not building enough small homes to meet demand for households of one or two people, leading to overcrowding and a shortage of affordable starter homes. A Pioneer Institute report highlights regulatory and land cost barriers and proposes policy changes, including a ballot measure to reduce minimum lot size requirements for single-family homes.

The MBTA is seeking a significant budget increase to address staffing shortages and safety issues following years of austerity measures. The proposed $3.4 billion budget includes over $1 billion in spending growth over five years, funded largely by state dollars, to expand hiring and infrastructure upgrades.