Despite tax hikes.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled today the state can't force companies in New Hampshire to collect the Massachusetts sales tax on sales to Massachusetts residents (so New Hampshire can continue to proclaim Tax Free or Die).

The Boston City Council discussed Mayor Menino's proposal to raise local meals and hotel-room taxes, but took no action on the plan so that its Committee on Government Operations can hold a hearing in August - standard procedure under council rules for new business.

Menino has proposed a 0.75% meals tax - on top of the 6.25% state tax going into effect on Saturday - and an increase of 2 percentage points in the current tax on hotel rooms. The council's Committee on Government Operations will host a hearing in early to mid August.

During the council discussion today, at-large candidate Doug Bennett, stood up behind councilors with a large "No New Taxes Mayor!" sign. Bennett argues with unemployment near 10%, now is the worst time to be raising any taxes.

On noticing the sign, council President Mike Ross "recessed the meeting and asked him to take the sign down," Reuben Kantor, Ross's chief of staff said. "So he did, and left." Bennett says he was kicked out; Kantor says he was simply asked to take the sign down.

Video of Bennett raising his sign.

So Doug Bennett is at it again and this time instead of stickers on street lights it's holding up signs at city council meetings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFl1etwox4s

Doug really needs to get a steady cameraman or at least invest in a tripod.

Because the sales tax goes up to 6.25% on Aug. 1. Also, aid to cities and towns goes down.

The Globe has the details.

The Sunday Globe has a well-researched report on the value of tax exemptions and other financial breaks enjoyed by area hospital companies.

The piece gives context, and raises the question of whether hospitals should be paying more to the local government.

The Outraged Liberal makes the case against Therese Murray.

Jay Fitzgerald hopes the governor doesn't go for her bait.

Weren't "user fees" levied by governments known as "taxes" back in the day?
Well, no more of that. The Commonwealth is seeing a "light" at the end of a tunnel thanks to the invention of "user fees".

The Globe's headline writer and reporter Matt Viser are willing accomplices in spreading the myth that user fees are not taxes though, curiously, most of those quoted in the article itself refer to "taxes." Expect that language to change.

Who knew the state legislature was full of such delicate flowers?