WAMC News
(2012-01-27)
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State Representative William "Smitty" Pignatelli said most folks wouldn't even notice an extra few cents taxed onto sweets.
But more important to Representative is the bottle law expansion. Pignatelli has been a co-sponsor of the bill for the past 3 years to include a deposit and redemption on non-carbonated beverages like bottled water and fruit juices. The bill has been stalled much longer than 3 years, though. In fact an updated version has been passed around Beacon Hill for 15 years. Pignatelli again.
The Governor cited a non-partisan poll conducted by MassINC and commissioned by MASSPIRG showing that 77% of Massachusetts residents would support expanding bottle return regulations. MASSPIRG is one of the champions bringing the original bottle return law which passed the legislature n 1982. Executive Director Janet Domenitz is hoping the expanded measure will pass this year, in the budget or separately.
Representative Pignatelli says he does understand why the issue has been so contested. Massachusetts shares borders with other states such as New Hampshire that do not have a similar law. Communities on the border of the two states worry they could face problems.
President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts Jon Hurst said that placing further taxes on goods in Massachusetts puts sellers in the state up against online retailers that could avoid similar fees.
Hurst warns that the taxation could contribute to a demise of local economies in the future, with many retailers unequipped to be both a beverage seller and bottle redemption center.
The Governor's FY 2013 budget will be reviewed by both houses of the State legislature, who will also submit their own recommendations before a final version is voted on this summer.
Correction made 1/31/11: Jon Hurst is the President of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts © Copyright 2012, WAMC
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