Public Statement: SJC Decision on Prop 80

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on
LinkedIn
+

Pioneer Institute and its public-interest law initiative, PioneerLegal, applaud the decision of Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) in Christopher Anderson et al. v. Maura Healey.

The SJC upheld decades of precedent in finding that Proposition 80, a ballot initiative that would have instituted a graduated income tax in Massachusetts, violates the “relatedness” provisions of state constitution, thereby precluding voters from expressing a unified statement on public policy.

The Institute, through PioneerLegal, filed an amicus brief with the SJC in support of the plaintiffs before the Court heard oral arguments in February.  The Tax Foundation also signed onto the brief.

Pioneer research looked into key legal issues and the negative economic impact that would have resulted from adoption of the ballot measure.  The Institute also shared facts with community and business leaders, elected officials, the media and the general public through social and traditional media channels.

Pioneer studies demonstrated that a proposed millionaires tax in Massachusetts would:

Alleviating these negative impacts would have taken a minimum of three years, since the measure would have amended the state constitution rather than just change state law. Massachusetts residents, employees and businesses are all beneficiaries of the SJC’s wise decision.

 

Stay Connected!

 

Related Posts

Join us on Oct. 16 for a Book Release Event: “The Fight for the Best Charter Public Schools in the Nation”

Join us for a lively discussion of Pioneer Institute's new book, The…

Common Core, School Choice and Rethinking Standards-Based Reform

/
While U.S. academic performance has declined since the broad implementation of Common Core, school choice programs are increasingly hamstrung by regulations that require private schools to adopt a single curriculum standards-based test as a condition for receiving public money, according to a new study published by Pioneer Institute.

Public Statement: The State Legislature’s Answer to the Janus Decision: The Employee Coercion & Intimidation Act

/
Pioneer has previously referred to a “Tammany Hall-like nexus”…

School Choice Booming on Cape Cod

/
Each year, millions of dollars flow from one school system to…

Not signed, sealed, delivered

/
Even the casual observer has probably heard that Massachusetts…

Should Boston want to be the home of Amazon’s second headquarters?

/
Amazon is the kind of company whose mere presence is enough to…

Study: Boston-Area Communities Should Loosen Restrictions for Accessory Dwelling Units

Additional units could help ease housing shortage BOSTON—A…

Parking Fine Hikes in Boston: a step in Go Boston 2030’s Larger Plan

/
On July 2, 2018, parking ticket fines in Boston increased substantially.…

Inspired by America’s past, facing future challenges

As we celebrate America’s birth, we are reminded that this…

Boston is a global city. Here’s why that status is threatened

/
Boston is often touted as a “global city.” A quick Google…

Public Statement: Janus v. AFSCME Decision

Pioneer Institute applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion…

Study: No Longer A City On A Hill: Massachusetts Degrades Its K–12 History Standards

/
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education…
the Boston skyline overlaid with money.

Which State Employees Make More than the Boss?

/
In 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections had 20 employees…

Public Statement: SJC Decision on Prop 80

Pioneer Institute and its public-interest law initiative, PioneerLegal,…

Policy Brief: UMass Has a Spending Problem

/
Author: Greg Sullivan Date: 6/6/2018 Pioneer's Director of…

Public Statement: Admission Bias Against Massachusetts Residents

Freshman admission to the University of Massachusetts’ flagship…

Troubling takeaways from the SJC ruling on charter schools

/
These would be the best of times for Boston public charter…