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BOSTON (AP) — The Latest on the decision by the Massachusetts high court to block a proposed "millionaire tax" (all times local):
11:15 a.m.
A citizens group that collected more than 150,000 signatures in support of a so-called "millionaire tax" in Massachusetts says it is "incredibly disappointed" that the state's high court has blocked the measure from going before voters in November.
The Raise Up Coalition faulted a "few wealthy corporate executives and their lobbyists" for bringing the lawsuit against the proposed constitutional amendment.
The Supreme Judicial Court, in a 5-2 decision, ruled Monday that the measure should not have been certified by the attorney general because it contained unrelated items of taxing and spending.
The proposal called for a surtax of 4 percent on annual income exceeding $1 million, with the revenue going for transportation and education.
The business-backed Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation applauded the ruling, calling it a "great day for all Massachusetts taxpayers."
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10:21 a.m.
Massachusetts' highest court has struck down a proposed "millionaire tax" ballot question, blocking it from going before state voters in November.
The Supreme Judicial Court, in a split decision, ruled Monday that the initiative petition should not have been certified by the attorney general because it contained unrelated items of taxing and spending.
The constitutional amendment would have imposed a surtax of 4 percent on any portion of an individual's annual income that exceeds $1 million. The measure called for revenues from the tax to be used for transportation and education.
Several business groups sued to stop the surtax from appearing on the ballot, claiming it violated constitutional restrictions on ballot questions.
The Raise Up Massachusetts coalition collected more than 150,000 signatures in support of the measure.
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