Massachusetts Court Blocks Income Tax Cut Ballot Initiative

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled on Thursday that a ballot initiative to gradually reduce the state income tax rate from 5% to 4% between 2027 and 2029 will not appear on the November ballot. The court found that the summary prepared by Attorney General Andrea Campbell's office was significantly misleading because it incorrectly stated the proposal would not affect long-term capital gains taxes, when the cut would actually lower those rates.

The ruling follows a January lawsuit filed by progressive groups and community organizer Lew Finfer, arguing the summary violated state law and constitutional standards. The court concluded the misstatement was not a minor imprecision and was likely to influence voters, necessitating the removal of the measure despite the fact that proponents had collected over 85,000 signatures to qualify it.

Opponents of the tax cut, including Democratic legislative leaders and the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, praised the decision. They argued the cut would have created a multi-billion dollar hole in the state budget and destabilized public programs. Conversely, the Pioneer Institute and the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance condemned the ruling, asserting that a technical government drafting error should not disenfranchise voters. Attorney General Campbell stated her office respects the decision and will work to ensure future summaries are transparent.