Gov. Charlie Baker announced legislation earlier this week that would make the weekend of August 19-20 a sales tax holiday, meaning the state's 6.25 percent sales tax would be suspended on items of $2,500 or less.
So is it time to run out and buy that new refrigerator you've been eyeing? Not so fast.
Legislators on Beacon Hill are not so keen on the idea, citing concerns about flagging state tax revenue. Among those skeptical of the holiday is the House's newly appointed budget chief, State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez.
"We are really in a difficult time right now," Sanchez told Boston Public Radio. "Although our numbers looked pretty good in terms of tax revenue —they looked okay for June, and at the same time we see that the Main Street economy is doing okay — we want to be thoughtful about what we're doing in the upcoming months."
"We're going to be looking at overrides, we're going to be looking at other things, things we've committed to," he continued.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the state lost $25.5 million in tax revenue from the last tax-free weekend, in 2015.
Click the audio player above to hear more from State Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez.
