Massachusetts 2023-24 Session Cliffhanger…

August 12, 2024

Massachusetts 2023-24 Session Cliffhanger…

The Massachusetts House and Senate worked past midnight and past the planned end of formal session on August 1st. Yet after a marathon 22-hour last day, very little was actually accomplished as both chambers failed to reach consensus on several key pieces of legislation. Sometimes the less the legislature completes the better for small businesses…and that proved somewhat true this year. While legislative leadership were sniping back and forth, bills like the Economic Development bill failed to get across the finish line. Though that meant billions of dollars in aid for the high tech and green energy industries did not advance, it also meant a provision in that bill that would prevent non-union small businesses from bidding on municipal jobs also did not advance either. The House even tried one last desperate attempt to move that provision into a separate bill and pass it Thursday morning. But the Senate has yet to take up the legislation that allows municipalities to authorize project labor agreements. Also, the energy bill was caught in the wake of the final day’s chaos. The Senate version of the bill had language that would provide increased authority to the Department of Public Utilities to deny gas hooks ups for residences and businesses. This included those customers already utilizing natural gas. The House had a less onerous bill, and in the end, could not reach an agreement. This means small businesses and residents will continue to have energy choice. Finally, while the House voted to permit the city of Boston to shift a disproportionate property tax rate on commercial properties, the Senate had yet to do so. A public disagreement played out in media stories between the Mayor of Boston and the Senate President, with each side exchanging barbs. However, from a small business standpoint, no additional action from lawmakers would be the best course of action because smaller businesses in Boston would likely face higher operating expenses as a result. There is talk of a potential special session or trying to pass bills in an informal session, but no official word from legislative leaders. NFIB will host a session wrap-up virtual event in early Fall. This will give us an opportunity to know exactly where current proposals in limbo stand.

Topics:

Uncategorized

State:

Massachusetts

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