Today's poll: Should the Massachusetts sales tax holiday happen every year?
05.25.2011 | SPRINGFIELD - James J. Mahoney, investigator for the City of Springfield Department of Veterans' Service, and Charly N. Woehlke (behind at left), Deputy Director of the department, flag some of veterans' graves at St. Michael's Cemetery Wednesday. Find a summary of the Valley's Memorial Day observances here. The Forecast
Memorial Day may be the unofficial start to summer, but the season may have started even more unofficially yesterday.
Today, it continues: lots of sun with a high in the mid-80s.
As for the weekend ahead, ABC 40 / Fox 6 meteorologist Dan Brown writes:
As Memorial Day Weekend draws closer heat and humidity will start to build in making for some great cookout weather. An area of high pressure will set up off shore and a southwesterly flow will take over. This flow will bring in a stream of warm, muggy air. It will also keep a cold front off to our west just about all weekend long. This means the focal point for showers and thunderstorms will stay away, likely across the mid-west.
Today's Poll
The Massachusetts Senate's debate over the $30.5 billion state budget is underway.
On Wednesday, the Senate rejected an amendment that would have made a permanent annual event out of the "sales tax weekend" that has taken place in August during several recent years.
Sales tax holidays are popular with shoppers and merchants, but critics say the state can't always afford the loss of tax dollars.
During last year's sales tax holiday on August 14 and 15, the state lost an estimated $19.9 million in potential sales taxes, which instead went as savings for consumers.
What do you think -- should the sales tax holiday happen every year? Vote in our poll and check back tomorrow for the results.
Wednesday's results: Yesterday we asked, "Should major nonprofits offer payments in lieu of taxes to the cities and towns they call home?" 12 people voted. 66.67% said "Yes"; 33.33% said "No".
Wednesday's Top 5
The top 5 headlines on MassLive.com on May 25 were:
- Your photos: Bears in Easthampton [photo gallery]
- 2011 High School of Commerce prom[photo gallery]
- 2011 Dean Tech Prom [photo gallery]
- The 2011 Gateway Regional High Prom [photo gallery]
- Springfield ranked 12th 'most dangerous' city in U.S., but some question validity of list
Quote of the Day
“Unless there are significant improvements in the school’s academic, fiscal and operational health over the next 20 months, I will consider non-renewal of the New Leadership Charter School’s charter in January 2013.”
&mdash Massachusetts Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. Read Jack Flynn's story here.