Top Mass. Dem trashes income tax ballot question: ‘It’s just such nonsense’

Lawmakers offer mixed messages on income tax ballot question

BEACON HILL is approaching a proposal to reduce the state’s income tax with a club in one hand, an olive branch in the other, and a furrowed brow to top it all off. Just a few weeks after the House voted to condition access to federal tax cuts on the failure of a ballot question that would reduce the state income tax rate, Speaker Ron Mariano suggested a willingness to chat with the influential business groups pushing the measure about a possibl…

Top Mass. Dem trashes income tax ballot question: ‘It’s just such nonsense’

If there was any lingering doubt that Massachusetts lawmakers are in for a particularly strenuous spring and summer, one of the top Democrats on Beacon Hill put them to rest on Thursday.The challenges range from the ongoing attacks on blue states by President Donald Trump to a fall ballot question that could punch a $5 billion hole in the state’s bottom line as lawmakers head into the thick of budget season.