April 19, 2023

ATTENTION MA LOTTERY SALES AGENTS 

Oppose Pending Cashless Lottery and
Online Lottery Proposals

Sales agents for the Massachusetts Lottery are urged to take action now to oppose two proposals in the House Budget which would authorize the sale of lottery products by debit card (Cashless Lottery) and the sale of lottery products online (Online Lottery).

As both of these proposals threaten to negatively impact the business you derive from lottery sales, RAM is urging members to contact their local elected officials now to voice opposition.  RAM has prepared a voter voice campaign to facilitate your communication. 

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Both of these proposals have also been introduced as stand-alone bills, which have been scheduled for a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure (CPPL) tomorrow, Thursday, April 20th.  In addition to contacting your local elected official to oppose the inclusion of these proposals in the House Budget, members may also want to consider weighing in with CPPL by submitting written testimony via email to [email protected].

House to Debate $56 Billion Budget Next Week

Proposal Includes Online & Cashless Lottery

The MA House of Representatives will begin debate next week on their own version of the FY24 state budget, with legislators offering 1,566 amendments for consideration to the $56 billion House Ways and Means Committee budget bill, H.3900.  The budget spends $1 billion in revenue expected to be generated by the new Millionaire’s Tax surtax, divided evenly between transportation and education proposals.
 
The House budget follows the Governor’s budget in that it is relatively light on significant proposed policy changes that would impact retail except for in one area – Lottery sellers.  The House proposal includes authorization language for the MA Lottery Commission to move its games and products online, and to allow for the purchase of Lottery products by using a debit card.  For more information see the Lottery Sellers’ Alert in this e-news. 
 
RAM is also raising concerns with a proposed pilot program within the budget that seeks to expand eligibility for ConnectorCare, the state subsidized health insurance program at the Connector.  The pilot proposes to expand the ConnectorCare program for two years to cover residents between 300% and 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).  It is unclear at this point what the proposal could mean for small businesses of 50 and fewer lives which are in the same insurance risk pool.  RAM members, having reported an average health insurance premium increase of 11% this year, are cautious of any new program that might negatively impact small business health insurance costs. 
 
Debate in the House begins on Monday April 24^th. 
 

House Approves Tax Relief Package
 

The House will take up the budget fresh off approving a $1.1 billion tax relief package last week that proposes a number of important changes to the tax landscape in MA.  H.3770, An Act to improve the Commonwealth’s competitiveness, affordability, and equity, passed the House by a vote of 150-3. 

Click here for the items of interest to the retail industry that were included.

Mark Your Calendar:
Wednesday, May 24

MA Small Business Day on Wednesday, May 24, at the UMass Club in Boston. In these times of increased payroll mandates, higher healthcare costs, rising energy bills, and more consumer choices and tools for spending their dollars outside of the Commonwealth, it is more vital than ever that small employers are more focused, cohesive, and louder in our educational efforts.

In addition to corporate sponsor, Enbridge, participating organizations already include: the National Federation of Independent Businesses, MA Restaurant Association, MA Food Association along with an ever growing list of Chambers of Commerce. Please help be a part of our collective industry and small business education efforts, by knowing your legislators, and attending meetings and gatherings with them at your local chamber of commerce. Rest assured that activists seeking new mandates, restrictions, and costs on your bottom line are working equally hard to get the attention of those we elect to public office. Join us on May 24 and be a part of the solution.
 

REGISTER NOW!