Comtois:  State should get permanent sales tax holiday

Letter to the Editor, Spencer New Leader by Stephen Comtois

To the editor:

     On Wednesday, July 19, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette published an editorial regarding the positive impact the sales-tax free weekend of August 12-13 will have on the state of Massachusetts.
     It’s disappointing to see State Rep. Anne Gobi voted with the Speaker against an amendment to House Bill 5200, which would have created a permanent sales-tax free weekend in August for Massachusetts families to rely upon.  Working families and taxpayers in the district deserve to know why Anne voted against allowing permanent sales-tax free weekends in Massachusetts.  Democrat State Rep. Arthur Broadhurst was courageous enough to vote with the Republicans on this common sense issue.
     In an effort to provide more enduring relief to Massachusetts taxpayers and families, House Minority Leader Brad Jones made two attempts to propose an annual sales tax holiday, but was rebuffed by House Democrats wary of granting residents a break.
     Jones’ first proposal, which would have given shoppers two days of sales-tax free spending every second weekend in August, was blocked by House Democrats using a procedural maneuver.  His second proposal, which would have allowed for a permanent one-day Saturday tax holiday in August, failed by a 133 to 22 vote.
     This is the third year in a row that the State Legislature has allowed a weekend sales tax holiday.  This would give consumers an opportunity to plan for purchases and would give retailers advance notice to stock their shelves and advertise during the slow summer moths.
     I have called on my opponent Anne Gobi and Speaker Sal DiMasi to join me in calling for the State Legislature to study the positive impacts of more sales-tax free weekends here in Massachusetts.  If you would like to learn more about my campaign and where I stand on issues, please feel free to visit my website:  www.stephencomtois.com or call (508) 867-3442.

STEPHEN J. COMTOIS II
BROOKFIELD
CANDIDATE FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
5TH WORCESTER DISTRICT