Latest Legislative Activity in New England-May 25, 2010

For April 2010

Maine Sales Tax Repeal

Every vote counts. We encourage Maine citizens to vote yes on June 8th on a ballot initiative that if rejected, will negatively affect all Maine citizens.

Voting YES on Question 1 would repeal “An Act to Implement Tax Relief and Tax Reform”, which was enacted by the Legislature last year. Unless you vote YES, this law will expand sales taxes to over 100 new goods and services, including car care services such as car washing and detailing. These new taxes would be felt 365 days a year.

NECA is part of the Vote Yes to Reject Coalition, along with other small business owners, citizens and associations opposed to LD 1495 Tax Reform Bill.

MASSACHUSETTS
HB 4629: A Bill To Provide for Job Creation By Small Businesses
This bill was introduced on April 26 by Rep. Linda Forry so the text of the bill is still unavailable. If it is a beneficial bill of which you should be aware, and we will provide more details once it is posted on the General Court’s website.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
No new legislative updates

RHODE ISLAND
SB 2831: An Act Relating to Taxation
This act amends part of the corporate income tax, requiring that corporation’s file pro forma combined corporate income tax returns. It also requires the tax administrator submit annual reports analyzing the fiscal and policy ramifications of changing the corporate tax statues method of reporting. http://www.rilin.state.ri.us//BillText10/SenateText10/S2831.pdf

SB 2837: An Act Relating to Labor Law and Labor Relations – Minimum Wages
This act would adjust the minimum wage annually using the consumer price index and take effect on July 1, 2012.
http://www.rilin.state.ri.us//BillText10/SenateText10/S2837.pdf

HB 8000, An Act Relating to Taxation—Jobs Training Tax Credit
Act. The bill would create a job hiring tax credit for the expense of hiring qualifying employees. The text can be found at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText10/HouseText10/H8000.pdf

SB 2778: An Act Relating to Taxation
The Act would amend the laws governing Estate and Transfer Taxes to add that “Property held by small businesses, as defined by the Small Business Administration, at least five (5) years prior to the exchange, shall be appraised at their use value rather than its full and fair cash value. Said properties must be held in the small business for at least five (5) years or may be assessed at the full and fair cash value of the estate at the time of the exchange.” Text is available at http://www.rilin.state.ri.us//BillText10/SenateText10/S2778.pdf

VERMONT
No new legislative updates