Healey floats local tax hikes

Also: Growing enrollment — and strain — for local community colleges; the story behind Harvard's new Taylor Swift class [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  January 22, 2024 🌤️ Partly cloudy, with a high of 36. Good Morning Boston, The frigid weather is [thawing]( and the Republican presidential primary race is [narrowing](. If you too have been preoccupied with [a big puzzle]( let's catch up on the news: - Gov. Maura Healey wants to give cities and towns in Massachusetts a new way to keep up with rising costs. State law generally prevents municipalities from raising or creating new taxes, meaning most get the bulk of their money from property taxes, which are also [capped](. So today, Healey plans to file a bill that would let cities and towns raise local taxes specifically on meals, lodging and cars. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, which advocates for local governments, calls the bill "welcome news," noting that "municipalities have been facing cost increases in key areas that are far outpacing the growth in their revenues." However, WBUR's Fausto Menard reports the reaction from others has been somewhat mixed. - The details: There are three main planks. First, Healey’s bill would let cities and towns increase their local meals tax to a max of 1% of the meal’s price, up [from 0.75%](. Second, it would allow them to raise the lodging tax on hotel, motel and other rentals from the [current 6% ceiling]( to 7% of the price of a room (and from 6.5% to 7.5% in Boston). Lastly, it would let municipalities add a 5% surcharge on top of the [existing motor vehicle excise tax]( - The argument for: Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation President Doug Howgate supports taking some of the local tax burden away from homeowners (i.e. property taxes): “The idea of enabling municipalities to diversify some of their revenue sources — to areas like consumption that occurs in their town or people who are staying in hotels and lodging — makes sense.” - The argument against: The restaurant industry says consumers are already paying extra. “The local option meals tax is one of the few taxes that's already subject to inflation, because menu prices go up every year, so the meals tax always goes up,” said Massachusetts Restaurant Association President Stephen Clark. - What's next? Healey's proposal still needs to go through the State House, whose leaders just pledged they [would not raise taxes](. [According to the State House News Service]( neither House Speaker Ron Mariano nor Senate President Karen Spilka had much to say about Healey's local tax plan after it was revealed. - School's out: Classes are canceled again today for all Newton public schools, as [the city's teacher strike]( continues into its second weekday. The teacher's union and city officials failed to reach a new contract agreement during negotiations this weekend, and the Newton Teachers Association rejected Mayor Ruthanne Fuller's calls for educators to return to work while talks continue. "A settled contract is the only way to end the strike," the union said. - Towing troubles: Expect to pay more money to get your car back if it's been towed in Massachusetts. The state's Department of Public Utilities is now allowing companies to charge up to $132 for "involuntary" tows, when your car gets towed after parking illegally or breaking down. That's up from the previous maximum of $108. - Why? [According to The Boston Globe]( the towing industry says the increase is necessary due to rising labor and equipment costs. And the DPU approved the change on an emergency basis to “ensure there are enough services for police-ordered towing” during this winter. However, consumer protection advocates want towing companies to change some of their practices — like not allowing drivers to get stuff out of their cars if they can't pay — in exchange for the hike. [A public hearing]( is scheduled tomorrow afternoon. - Heads up, night owls: MassDOT says it will be shutting down stretches of Route 3 between Burlington and Tyngsborough this week between the hours of midnight and 4 a.m so crews can install some full-width (and [presumably unfunny]( highway signs. So, expect delays if you're on the road during those wee hours. - Reminder: If you take the T, [diversions on the Green Line remain in effect this week]( including downtown closures and night work on the GLX. [Click here]( for the details. P.S.— Earlier this month, we asked what tips you might have for those looking to start, join or spice up a book club — and our readers really delivered. Check out the full list of suggestions — and a guide to finding clubs in Boston — [here](. Nik DeCosta-Klipa Editor, Newsletters [Follow](  Support the news  The Rundown [Community college aid pushes enrollment — and strains staffs]( The free tuition program has brought more than 5,000 new students to Massachusetts 15 community colleges. For many, the increase is exciting. But it's also straining some schools' short-staffed financial aid and enrollment offices. [Read more.]( [Community college aid pushes enrollment — and strains staffs]( The free tuition program has brought more than 5,000 new students to Massachusetts 15 community colleges. For many, the increase is exciting. But it's also straining some schools' short-staffed financial aid and enrollment offices. [Read more.]( [Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis drops out of the presidential race, endorses Trump]( Days before the New Hampshire primary, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he's dropping his presidential bid after a second place finish in Iowa to former President Donald Trump. [Read more.]( [Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis drops out of the presidential race, endorses Trump]( Days before the New Hampshire primary, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he's dropping his presidential bid after a second place finish in Iowa to former President Donald Trump. [Read more.]( [Palestinian death toll passes 25,000 as Israel announces the death of another hostage]( Since the war started on Oct. 7, 25,105 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while another 62,681 have been wounded, the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said. [Read more.]( [Palestinian death toll passes 25,000 as Israel announces the death of another hostage]( Since the war started on Oct. 7, 25,105 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, while another 62,681 have been wounded, the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip said. [Read more.]( [Steward Health Care says financial difficulties jeopardize care at Mass. facilities]( Steward Health Care System, based in Dallas, operates 9 hospitals in Massachusetts. The company said the past few years and the pandemic have devastated community hospitals. It is in talks with state officials to keep its facilities open. [Read more.]( [Steward Health Care says financial difficulties jeopardize care at Mass. facilities]( Steward Health Care System, based in Dallas, operates 9 hospitals in Massachusetts. The company said the past few years and the pandemic have devastated community hospitals. It is in talks with state officials to keep its facilities open. [Read more.]( [How downtown Boston is trying to transform to attract new businesses — and customers]( Downtown Boston is trying to reinvent itself. These days visitors might notice a new businesses, some curious public art or even a block party in the neighborhood. It’s all part of an effort to reverse downturns in foot traffic and business activity since many people’s commutes and work schedules changed during the pandemic. [Read more.]( [How downtown Boston is trying to transform to attract new businesses — and customers]( Downtown Boston is trying to reinvent itself. These days visitors might notice a new businesses, some curious public art or even a block party in the neighborhood. It’s all part of an effort to reverse downturns in foot traffic and business activity since many people’s commutes and work schedules changed during the pandemic. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Why is Harvard offering a class on Taylor Swift this year? In her own words, professor Stepahie Burt explains the origins and objectives of the course in [this essay for Cognoscenti](. - When local singer Leesa Coyne learned the Supreme Court decided to weigh in on a case that would grant firearms access to domestic abusers who are currently banned, she knew she needed to raise awareness. So, she created a raw, new music video for her 2017 song "Stay." You can [watch the exclusive premiere of the video here](. - The Boston-based online furniture retailer Wayfair [announced another big round of layoffs this past Friday]( — this time cutting about 1,650 employees, or 13% of its overall workforce. A spokesperson for the company said the layoffs will affect 936 employees based at their Boston headquarters, including 500 who live in Massachusetts. - Boston's Company One Theatre is getting a big grant to explore new models of theater-making featuring marginalized artists and audiences. WBUR's Amelia Mason has [the details](. What We're Reading 📚 - Bill Iffrig, Runner in Iconic Boston Marathon Bombing Photo, Dies at 89 ([The New York Times]( - In Karen Read case, prosecutors seek to compel Boston magazine journalist to hand over confidential notes ([The Boston Globe]( - The true cost of the latest round of cuts at UNH ([New Hampshire Bulletin](  Food For Thought [What to eat at The Lineup, Boston's newest food hall (Boston.com)]( The Lineup food hall in Downtown Boston is now open at 115 Federal St. Here’s what to eat at its five restaurants. [Read more.]( [What to eat at The Lineup, Boston's newest food hall (Boston.com)]( The Lineup food hall in Downtown Boston is now open at 115 Federal St. Here’s what to eat at its five restaurants. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common explores the pros and cons of [rising community college enrollment in Massachusetts]( with WBUR's Carrie Jung. Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [It's law and oh-dah, ked.]( 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.](   Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.