If you’re ready for Democrats within the Legislature to ship a tax minimize to Gov. Charlie Baker, you’re going to have to attend just a little longer.
Like eight months.
That’s when the lame duck Baker might be gone and the brand new governor — most certainly a Democrat — will take over and get credit score for the accomplishments.
Sound petty and political?
Of course. But that’s how the Legislature has all the time operated.
Baker — to his credit score — has been aggressively pushing his agenda for the previous couple of months even supposing he’ll quickly be relegated to some high-paying job within the non-public sector.
But it’s clear the Democratic-led Legislature desires nothing to do with giving Baker — who is actually a Democrat in all however identify — any parting presents on the best way out the door.
Instead, Baker goes out presiding over steep inflation and sky-high fuel costs, regardless of the very fact the Legislature is holding onto billions of {dollars} in federal COVID reduction and a large price range surplus that could possibly be serving to folks pay payments proper now.
Baker has proposed a large jobs and financial improvement invoice utilizing a number of billion {dollars} in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. But lawmakers are holding onto many of the cash whereas Baker stews. And it appears like they’re in no hurry to get something performed this yr.
It’s self-imposed gridlock.
“We’re still in May, but it looks like we’re going to have a very large surplus for the close of the year. That certainly gives us an opportunity to not have to be completely in a rush to spend all the ARPA money,” House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz advised State House News Service.
As far as a tax minimize goes, don’t maintain your breath for lawmakers to go what Baker has proposed or something prefer it. A fuel tax minimize like Republicans have proposed? Ha. Good one.
“All options are going to be considered,” stated Michlewitz, who could or could not have been laughing when he uttered that.
Instead, Baker is leaving workplace presiding over the continuing catastrophe and federal takeover of the MBTA and embarrassments just like the costly, $56 million payout to households of misplaced family members on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.
That’s what his final-year legacy might be — not a taxpayer-friendly tax minimize.
It’s an ideal instance of why the Massachusetts Legislature has an excessive amount of energy and the governor has to kowtow to them. Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano has far more energy than Baker. He controls all his Democratic House members who do what they’re advised.
And the Republican governor sits ready and ready for motion. It’s one thing he’s gotten good at.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”