Enjoy your new 6.25% sales tax rate...

[brassmonkey]

The great Governor Devolve Patrick has signed it...

I love this place more and more every day.

[homebase]

Governor Deval Patrick signed a budget yesterday that imposes more than $1 billion in additional taxes on Massachusetts residents and visitors, most of it through the first increase in the state sales tax in 33 years, even as he declined to rule out a future boost in the state gas tax.

... he signed a $27 billion budget that includes increases in the state’s sales, alcohol, satellite television, meals, and hotel taxes. Even while putting his signature on the budget, Patrick continued to try to distance himself from a first-in-a-generation increase in the state’s sales tax, which on Aug. 1 will rise from 5 percent to 6.25 percent.

I think I'm going to talk to a friend of mine in NH that might be interested in investing in a bus to transport people that either don't have a car or other means that live in MA to New Hampshire to shop.

There was a period of time after Demoulas opened up in Rindge that Central Market closed. Prior to that Central Street shops were closing due to walmart. It was like dominoes it happened rather quickly. First there was three places in town where you could buy meat and then there was none. There was a huge cry from the elderly and residents that didn't either have a car or drivers license. When a smaller version of Central Market opened back up ones that may have taken a local grocery store forgranted were grateful to once again be able to buy many of their needs in town. Especially in the winter. Since we boarder NH more will be going over the boarder.

The already struggling hospitality business will for many be turning their lights out. They are so over regulated now and a further tax on meals will stop the music. I remember having to get reservations at the King Phillips for weekend dining. Now the place is practically empty every time we've gone there in the past couple of years. I don't know how they have stayed open? The big chains will be the only ones that can or will be able to hold up.

Yet, the people here want government to take care of them from cradle to grave.

California here we come...