Titled the Municipal Empowerment Act, the governor’s bill would allow towns to enact a new motor vehicle excise surcharge, raise the local hotel and home rental tax from its current limit of 6 per cent to 7 per cent, as well as increase the local option meals tax.
Gov. Maura Healey unveiled a $4 billion housing plan Wednesday that includes a local option transfer fee, a provision that Islanders have sought for years to help fight the Vineyard’s housing crisis.
With its borrowing limit increased by $50 million in the new state budget, the Steamship Authority now has the financial headroom to add a fourth ship to its growing fleet of identical former oilfield supply vessels, which the ferry line is converting into freight ferries.
