Learn who we are and how we serve our community
Meet our leaders, trustees and team
Developing the next generation of talent
Covering the latest news and trends in the marketplaces industry
Check out wide-ranging resources that educate and inspire
Learn about the governmental initiatives we support
Connect with other professionals at a local, regional or national event
Find webinars from industry experts on the latest topics and trends
Grow your skills online, in a class or at an event with expert guidance
Access our Member Directory and connect with colleagues
Get recommended matches for new business partners
Find tools to support your education and professional development
Learn about how to join ICSC and the benefits of membership
Stay connected with ICSC and continue to receive membership benefits
The Massachusetts Legislature had a busy final two weeks before ending their formal sessions for the year on July 31.
Sales Tax Holiday
In the last days of the session, ICSC successfully advocated for a sales tax holiday to be included in an economic development package that is currently awaiting Gov. Charlie Baker’s signature. The Governor is expected to sign the bill, providing Massachusetts consumers with relief from the 6.25% sales tax on August 11-12.
Health care
ICSC also successfully lobbied against a provision in a health care reform bill that created a new assessment on retail health care providers, which would have affected many ICSC members with urgent care clinics in their centers. ICSC sent a letter to the conference committee members working out the difference between the House and Senate health care reform legislation. Ultimately a compromise could not be reached, and the bill was not sent to the Governor.
Liquor Licenses
Within the economic development bill, ICSC also sought to create a new type of liquor license known as an “umbrella license.” This new license would allow developments over a certain threshold to received unlimited liquor licenses, subject to local approval, for use within the development. The licenses would not be transferrable outside of the development. (There is currently a proposal before the Boston City Council to create such a license type at the city level.) ICSC will continue to advocate on this issue when the next session begins.
Wages
A month prior to the end of session, Gov. Baker signed the “Grand Bargain,” a compromise between business groups and unions regarding minimum wage and paid family leave. The compromise was reached in order to prevent the issue from becoming a ballot question in the fall election. Under the new law, the minimum wage in Massachusetts will increase from $11 to $15 per hour over the next five years. Additionally, workers in Massachusetts will receive extended family and medical leave protections. In exchange, the sales tax holiday weekend is now codified as an annual event and the requirement that retailers pay workers time and a half on Sundays will be phased out over the next five years.
ICSC also joined a coalition created to advocate on behalf of the business community on wage theft legislation. The Senate bill authorized the Attorney General to file civil actions and issue stop work orders in wage theft cases and create a trust fund to repay stolen wages when other recovery options have been exhausted. ICSC was concerned about a "vicarious liability" section that would hold lead contractors liable for wage theft violations committed by subcontractors, regardless of whether the lead contractor hired the subcontractor. The House and Senate could not reach an agreement on their bills.
The legislature will continue to meet in informal sessions until the next session begins in January 2019. However, no controversial matters may be taken up during informal sessions since objection by one lawmaker can kill any proposal.