Mass. GOP wants to make tax hikes harder to pass

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Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts House Republicans are proposing new rules that would make it harder to pass tax hikes or dip into the state's rainy day fund.

As part of a package of rules changes, the GOP wants to require two-thirds votes for all tax increases or withdrawals from the stabilization fund.

Currently both only require simple majorities to pass.

Republicans also want to ban the House Speaker from casting votes unless there is a tie.

Republicans, who hold a small number of seats in the overwhelmingly Democratic House, argue that Democratic members often take their cue from how Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo votes.

Republicans also want to lawmaker to decide by March 15 each year how much local cities and towns will receive in local aid to help municipal leaders write their budgets.