Millionaires' Tax Looks To Be Headed For '22 Ballot

The battle for Massachusetts to pay more in taxes is ramping up again.

The so-called "millionaires' tax" is scheduled for Wednesday vote when the Legislature gets together for a joint meeting. A favorable vote — which is very much expected — would land the initiative on the 2022 ballot.

That would mean voters get to decide whether to levy a 4 percent income tax increase on all household income over $1 million. The current income tax rate for Massachusetts residents is 5 percent.

Supporters say the increase could add nearly $2 billion for education and transportation in Massachusetts. Opponents will argue such a tax increase would lead to wealth fleeing the state.

The push comes at a time when state coffers are bursting with federal stimulus money and tax revenue.

"As Massachusetts recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we prepare for our future, we have a unique opportunity to move towards a Commonwealth that truly works for all residents," Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Mariano said in a joint statement Thursday.

If the constitutional amendment passes the Legislature — which it did two years ago by a 147-58 margin — it will essentially launch a lengthy, testy, very expensive campaign on whether the rich should be paying more.

If it makes the ballot, opponents will have their work cut out for them. Several polls in recent years have shown overwhelming support for the measure.

The initiative didn't make the ballot in its previous push due more to technical reasons than substantive ones. The Supreme Judicial Court deemed it unconstitutional, but a change in process — going through the Legislature as opposed to through a citizens' petition — would appear to clear the way for it to get in front of voters next year.

Materials from State House News Service was used in this report