Top Massachusetts business leaders and retailer advocacy organizations fiercely condemned Ballot Question 1 during a virtual press conference Wednesday, arguing the so-called Fair Share Amendment or millionaires tax could weaken the commonwealth’s competitive edge and disproportionately harm owners of mom and pop shops.
Ballot Question 1 would impose a 4% surtax on all income exceeding $1 million, with the Massachusetts Legislature tasked with appropriating the new pot of money to education and transportation spending. Supporters of the referendum, which would translate into a constitutional amendment, say the tax forces of the state’s wealthiest residents to pay their fair share, while redirecting money to vulnerable communities and infrastructure needs.
Yet opponents — including the Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment, which organized the press conference — claim the tax could be detrimental and erode people’s nest eggs when triggered by one-time earnings, such as the sale of homes or small businesses.
Read more: COVID mandate: Nearly 50 fired Mass. state workers could be rehired
Jim Rooney, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, warned Ballot Question 1 could spur long-term negative consequences for the state’s business ecosystem and drive talent elsewhere. That’s in the context of an out-migration among residents and businesses already underway here, Rooney said, particularly as cities and states are “openly competing for talent, for firms, for business units.”
“If this passes and we become less competitive further, would a start-up like DraftKings happen in Massachusetts, or might they decide, ‘You know what, the
No matter who you are or where you were when the news dropped, you likely felt a human connection. Now the business community is saying it’s time to help our own.
ST. LOUIS — Businesses all across the St. Louis area are joining forces to support the victims and survivors of this week’s tragedy. Some of them are asking their customers to chip in.
No matter who you are or where you were when the news dropped, you likely felt that human connection. Now the business community is saying, it’s time to help our own.
At Altered State Comics, it’s not just business as usual. Workers are still agonizing over Monday’s St. Louis school shooting.
“No kid should feel scared to go to school, go outside, walk to school, anything like that,” owner Brandon Forrest said.
It’s why he feels compelled to act, especially after he learned something about one of the teenage shooting survivors.
“He’s a big Manga fan, he’s our people. We know exactly what he’s talking about,” the comic enthusiast said.
So his comic store is teaming up with four others across the area to donate a portion of all proceeds throughout the weekend directly to those impacted. Those stores include Comic Headquarters in south St. Louis County, STL Comics in St. Charles, Apotheosis Comics in St. Louis and All American CCG in Waterloo, Illinois.
“That money is going to see it to the right place,” Forrest said.
Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that happened inside a barbershop in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. Boston police said they received reports of the shooting at 145 Washington St. shortly after 7:15 pm Wednesday. The address given by Boston police is the listed address for Celebrity Cut Barbershop. Responding officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Boston Emergency Medical Services personnel pronounced the man dead at the scene, according to police. Boston police Commissioner Michael Cox and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden confirmed the shooting happened inside the barbershop during business hours. Cox described the shooting as a “very intentional” act and said it was not a random act of violence. Authorities have not identified the victim. Police did not say if there were customers or other witnesses inside the barbershop at the time of the shooting.”The fact that this happened inside a barbershop, a hub for the community that is supposed to be a safe space for everyone to come and feel and look their best, makes this all the more devastating,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. No arrests have been made and no information has been shared about a suspect or suspects. This deadly shooting comes after three people were killed over the weekend in three separate shootings in the city.”I’m fed up. We’re all fed up,” Cox said. “We’re doing all we can to make sure that we are in the right place at the right time, but we’ll always need the public’s support around … Read More
