By Bob Katzen

House 25-132, rejected an amendment that would exempt a worker’s hourly overtime wages from the state’s income tax. The exemption would not apply to salaried employees.

Amendment sponsor Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica) said if workers are willing to put in the extra time, take those additional shifts and work harder to support their families, they should reap the benefits and not be punished with taxes. He noted that overtime, often the difference between getting by and getting ahead, creates a real incentive for workers to step up and for businesses to meet their demands without adding a new bureaucracy or mandates.

Rep. Adrian Madaro opposed the amendment and said this exemption is untested, unsupported and would be unwise to implement. He noted that an identical bill received no support testimony at a public hearing.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment exempting a worker’s hourly overtime wages from the state’s income tax. A “No” vote is against exempting it.)

Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven No