POLLING: Bay Staters Not Sweet on Taxing Candy

As Massachusetts residents grapple with increasing costs of living, voters are sending an unambiguous message to Beacon Hill: enough with the tax hikes. 

To the Governor’s credit, she signed a significant package of tax cuts into law in 2023 in an effort to reduce the burden on residents. But it looks like new taxes could be creeping in, and not just on the state level: Governor Healey also introduced a bill that would allow cities and towns to increase their local taxes on cars, lodging, and meals.

Data from MOA’s most recent polling reveals widespread opposition to these proposed taxes and strong support for measures that would rein in government spending, reflecting the growing concern amongst residents about the state’s fiscal policy and its impact on their wallets.

Sentiment Around Tax Increases

Sixty-four percent of voters reject taxing candy, recognizing that the new tax could pose yet another burden on family budgets. Voters understand that Massachusetts’ sales tax exemption on groceries, including “candy and confectionery,” serve a key role in helping to keep grocery costs in check.

Even more striking is the strong resistance to allowing municipalities to raise tax limits on vehicles, lodging, and meals (72 percent oppose). This opposition is hardly surprising, however, as 82.3 percent of Massachusetts voters reported in September that they thought their taxes were too high. Massachusetts residents realize that such measures would only exacerbate the high tax burden.

Sentiment Around Reducing the Tax Burden

The current housing crisis in Massachusetts illustrates the economic pressures facing Bay Staters. Massachusetts home prices in January rose more than 6 percent year-over-year, reaching a historic high for January. With high prices and a lack of inventory in available houses resulting in a 12-year year low in house sales in 2023, voters are strongly backing measures that could help ease the market’s restraints.

Seventy-one percent of voters reported that they support exempting long-term homeowners from capital gains taxes if they’ve lived in their homes for over ten years. This policy could encourage more seniors to downsize, potentially increasing the housing supply for younger families while providing financial security for retirees.

The Concern of Increased Government Spending

As many Massachusetts residents look at their budgets tightening, the increase in the state’s budget has not gone unnoticed. Fifty-three percent of voters support implementing an annual spending limit in an attempt to prevent the growth in state spending from outpacing state revenue growth. 

Twenty-six percent are still undecided about the spending cap, but their support will likely grow in future years. When high spending requires taxes that impact your everyday life – on your car, your candy, your weekend away – opposition tends to harden.

Conclusion

The message from voters is clear: they want a government that lives within its means and respects taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars. As we navigate the current complex financial landscape, it is important that state leaders listen to constituents and focus on policies that promote affordability and create an environment where families and businesses can thrive.