Join us to show your support of the Municipal Empowerment Act (MEA) next Tuesday October 28th!

 

Why the MEA is Important

 

The MEA is an important opportunity for the Commonwealth to further its support of all 351 cities and towns. This legislation promotes efficiencies in local government, reduces regulatory burdens, and provides tools for communities to solve age-old problems through additional revenue options and operational flexibilities.

 

The MEA:

• Reforms outdated procurement rules and thresholds including:
• Raising the 30B threshold for ALL municipal purchases to $100,000
• Exempting snow hauling from 30B requirements to match snow removal
• Eliminating the COMMBUYS publishing requirement
• Streamlining cooperative purchasing agreements for goods AND services
• Codifies existing COVID-era allowances for remote public meetings, currently set to expire on June 30, 2027
• Updates enforcement mechanisms and removal procedures for double poles
• Provides new or expanded local option revenues including:
• Option to increase the meals tax
• Option to increase the lodging tax
• Option to establish a new motor vehicle excise tax
• Improves efficiency of local operations through longer borrowing terms for school projects, tools for critical workforce shortages, and much more!