Chris LisinskiState House News ServiceBOSTON — A tax deduction for charitable donations that Massachusetts voters approved in 2000 will not go into effect until at least 2023 after the Senate voted Thursday to override Gov. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen, Marc Pacheco of Taunton and Walter Timilty of Milton, all Democrats, sided with Baker and voted to allow the deduction to begin this year, as did the chamber's three Republicans, Sens. After years of delays tied to various economic triggers, the deduction was set to return to action in 2021, but lawmakers have twice now postponed it. Voters approved the deduction in 2000 with 72% in support, but it was only available for a single year before lawmakers suspended it. Baker and other Republicans criticized Democrats for the vote, arguing the state's surging tax revenues and billions in unspent federal aid eliminate the need for the additional cushion.

Source: MetroXpress July 29, 2021 21:45 UTC