By Bob Katzen

Senate 29-7, approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow a graduated income tax in Massachusetts and impose an additional 4 percent income tax, in addition to the current flat 5.1 percent one, on taxpayers’ earnings of more than $1 million.

Language in the amendment requires that, “subject to appropriation,” the revenue goes to fund quality public education, affordable public colleges and universities, and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation.

The proposal was supposed to go on the November ballot for voters to decide but the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the amendment was unconstitutional because the constitution prohibits placing more than one objective in a single proposed constitutional amendment. The decision noted that the proposal imposes the tax and then stipulates how the money could be spent.