Initiative Petitions Filed with Attorney General’s Office
Twenty-two groups filed thirty-one petitions for proposed laws or constitutional amendments with Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office this week. The list of ballot proposals includes measures that would sanction the sale of beer and wine at food stores, allow three casinos in Massachusetts, expand the state’s bottle redemption law, and set up a legal framework for medical marijuana. The Attorney General’s office has until September 7th to certify petitions that meet constitutional requirements to qualify for the ballot. If certified, petition proponents have between mid-September and mid- November to collect roughly 69,000 signatures to progress to the next step for qualification on the statewide ballot: legislative review.
Governor signs court reform law
On Thursday, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law the court reform bill that aims to eliminate patronage in the Probation Department. Governor Patrick expressed his reservations about the bill, which he says does not go far enough. The final version of the bill approved by the legislature last week does not merge the Probation and Parole Departments as the Governor proposed. The new law prohibits state agencies from viewing written recommendations for job candidates until the final stages of the hiring process and designates a “civilian administrator” to work alongside the Trial Court’s top judge to manage resources. The administrator will handle administrative functions including budgeting and hiring, while the chief justice of the Trial Court will deal with scheduling, disciplining judges and other judicial functions.
Governor Signs Bill Creating Sales Tax Holiday for August
Governor Patrick signed the sales tax holiday bill when it reached his desk this week. Last week the House and Senate both gave final approval to the bill, which will suspend the state sales tax in Massachusetts for the second weekend in August. The bill is expected to cost the state $20.5 million during the two-day period (August 13th and 14th).
Unofficial Summer Recess Continues on Beacon Hill
The Governor leaves for a 10-day vacation today while the legislature is currently taking an informal August recess, with no formal sessions or committee hearings scheduled for the month. However, the State House will remain active, with committees reviewing legislation and committee hearings being scheduled for the fall.
Tax Collection Figures For First Half of July Up 6.6%
This week the Massachusetts Department of Revenue released the tax collection figures for the first month of FY2012. Tax revenues for the month of July were $60 million above state budget benchmarks. According to Navjeet Bal, the state revenue commissioner, the gains were due to increased income tax collections and several one-time estate tax payments. Tax collections are expected to reach $20.636 billion in FY2012, although the sales tax holiday will cost the state $20.5 million.
John Nunnari, Assoc AIA
Executive Director, AIA MA
jnunnari@architects.org
617-951-1433 x263
617-951-0845 (fax)
MA Chapter of American Institute of Architects
The Architects Building
52 Broad Street, Boston MA 02109-4301
www.architects.org
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