Massachusetts Governor Healey sees candy sales tax sweetening state coffers

Sam Doran

Gov. Maura Healey said her legislation to tax candy sales was just “an idea” as she talked about the Bay State’s revenue crunch Tuesday and jokingly apologized for the contemplated price hike on chocolate treats.

Healey, in her annual budget bill filed last week, proposed removing candy’s exemption from the sales tax in Massachusetts.

The governor spent Tuesday morning at the Burlington Department of Public Works, taking a look at plows, sanders, and other equipment being readied for winter weather. At a press availability inside the DPW barn, she was asked about the revenue-raising proposal.

“You guys like candy?” asked Healey, as she turned toward a few burly DPW workers standing next to a Ford Super Duty.

“Alright, I’m sorry,” she said. “The proposal is, it’s gonna cost like an extra few cents more if you buy M&M’s in the grocery line.”

The governor explained her plight in DPW terms: “I’ve gotta figure out a way to pay for snow plows.”

There are also cost pressures around health care, and child care, and other big-ticket budget items, she added. Healey said it’s “a tighter budget year with revenues.”

“I didn’t think this one was one that maybe people would feel the hurt on as much, but might help, you know? Might help, pay a little bit more for your candy,” she said.

Healey added, “Anyhow, it’s an idea. I propose ideas in a budget. And we’ll see what the Legislature does with all of this. But nobody likes taxes.”