Tax Free Holiday Edges Closer

The Berkshire Eagle reports the state is edging closer to solidifying its first sales tax holiday in a couple of years.

Massachusetts lawmakers cast votes yesterday for an August sales tax holiday and several other measures as they began what loomed as a hectic final week of legislative action.

The Senate and the House face a Tuesday deadline to complete work on dozens of major bills that have lingered until the closing days of the 2017-18 session.

The Senate voted to suspend the state's 6.25 percent sales tax on most consumer items during the weekend of Aug. 11-12.

The House has also approved a sales tax holiday, but it can't be officially scheduled until the two chambers settle differences over the broader legislation, and the eventual compromise is signed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.