BOSTON – A leading proponent of raising the state's tobacco-buying age to 21 said he's "optimistic" the measure and other tobacco restrictions will become law this year, but cautioned that the bill sits among many other matters still awaiting action by the Massachusetts House of Representatives in the final weeks of formal legislative sessions.
The state Senate in April passed a comprehensive bill aimed at preventing youth tobacco use and addiction. Along with a three-year increase in the state's tobacco purchase age, the bill (S 2269) includes a ban on tobacco sales in pharmacies and restrictions on e-cigarettes.
BOSTON – Acknowledging a sudden erosion in the state budget's fiscal underpinnings just before the budget is due, House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Wednesday said policy differences between the House and Senate loom as an even larger obstacle to a budget accord that's due in two weeks.
Talking to reporters after a closed Democratic caucus, DeLeo said the House budget (H 4201) included close to 100 outside sections while the Senate's spending plan (S 2305) featured nearly 300 budget riders, including many calling for policy changes unrelated to appropriations.
