Majority Rejects Tax Free Revenue Initiative

The majority of House Democrats rejected a tax free revenue initiative today. The Republican Leadership Office filed an amendment that would have directed the Commissioner of Corrections to adopt policies and procedures establishing an optional maximum daily fee of $5 to be paid by inmates for room and board. The charge would have based on a sliding scale determined by the prisoner’s ability to pay.

The amendment had the potential to generate several million dollars annually without increasing taxes on Commonwealth residents. More than 40 Democrats voted with Republicans on this amendment.