Lobbyists voice opinions at House during tax debate
Lobbyists lingered in the State House yesterday, stopping lawmakers in the halls and urging them to reject tax hikes. On the other side of the issue, advocates for the homeless and mentally ill marched with union officials, filling the corridors with chants of "Raise Revenues! Stop the cuts!"
The targets of their fervor: state representatives who began debating yesterday whether to help solve the state's recession-induced budget crisis by increasing the state sales tax to 6.25 percent from 5 percent.
"We had perfect attendance of all the special interests," said Representative John Quinn, Democrat of Dartmouth.
Business groups, restaurants, healthcare companies, and unions were all represented. The state's retailers argued against the sales tax hike, which represents a 25 percent increase in the tax, saying it would be disastrous for businesses crippled by the recession and would send customers fleeing north.
"Consumers will have other options," said Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, which represents 3,100 businesses. "They can go to New Hampshire or go online, where nothing is taxed.
"This doesn't make common sense," he said. "We're urging the governor to veto this."
James Klocke, executive vice president of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, said his group's members were lobbying against a sales tax hike, instead favoring an increase in the gas tax of 25 cents a gallon.
"We think the most pressing financial need is on the transportation front," Klocke said. "The gas tax would be dedicated to both the prevention of a toll increase and fixing the MBTA's finances."
The House's sales tax plan was not the only subject of intense lobbying, as House members were reviewing hundreds of amendments filed by individual lawmakers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association, for example, came to oppose moves to allow local communities to impose meals taxes.
"I don't want to see restaurants singled out," said Peter Christie, the group's president. "You'll see me kicking and screaming if they go to a local-option tax."
The advocates for social services spending - also well organized, but louder - said they did not particularly care what taxes were increased to save programs.
"We're not calling for a specific proposal," said Carl Nilsson, spokesman for Neighbor to Neighbor, a group of 20 organizations that represent low-income families. "We're urging legislators to raise significant revenue in the fairest way possible."
The registered lobbyists spoke in hushed tones in the hallways outside the House and Senate chambers, texting on their cellphones during lulls in the conversation. Many refused to say whom they represented.
"I have clients who are concerned about the safety net," said one, who did not want to be quoted by name. "They're concerned about what is happening. All you can do is try to get in front of the decision-makers and make your case."
James Barry, a legislative agent for the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, said he was looking for money to restore funding for the Quinn Bill, a program that boosts the pay of police officers who receive college degrees. The House budget cut $52 million for the program.
(The Globe reported last week that the amendment to restore the Quinn Bill funding, filed by Christopher Fallon, Democrat of Malden, had enough cosponsors to pass.)
Judy Meredith, a longtime human services lobbyist, also took a fresh approach with onemassachusetts.org, a website that urges residents and advocates to contact their legislators and organize their friends through Facebook and Twitter.
"We're doing a virtual rally," Meredith said. 