By Bob Katzen

The Senate 4-35, rejected an amendment that would create a reserve fund of $575 million to fund future tax relief.

Amendment supporters said this will ensure that a minimum of $575 million is set aside and protected until the House, Senate and governor in the coming weeks can agree on the amount of money that will be returned to taxpayers this year. They noted several proposals with various amounts of tax relief are currently on the table and eventually one will be approved and this reserve fund creation will ensure the money is there for the tax cuts.

Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his amendment.

Amendment opponents said there is already a section in the budget that sets this money aside, a statement that amendment supporters disagree with and argued that the budget does not prevent the $575 million from being spent on something other than tax relief.

Senate Ways and Means Chair Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his opposition to the amendment.

(A “Yes” vote is for the $575 reserve fund. A “No” vote is against it.)

Sen. Patricia Jehlen No