Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance

31/05/2026

“Advocacy group is calling for an investigation of the town's decision not to refund donations that were raised to help put on the festivities.”

Meanwhile, Worcester County Sheriff Lewis Evangelidis is offering help staffing the event.

29/05/2026

Victory on Beacon Hill.

Governor Healey’s "municipal empowerment" tax package has been sent to study, effectively shelving a proposal that would have allowed local politicians to raise a wide array of taxes at the local level, including an increase to the vehicle excise tax. The current vehicle excise rate is the result of a rollback originally passed in Prop 2½.

MassFiscal has been putting pressure on Beacon Hill to shelve this issue for months and generated thousands of taxpayer messages into the State House in opposition to the bill. The news also came just days after the Fiscal Alliance Foundation released its major study on Prop 2½ and its importance to taxpayers.

When taxpayers organize, speak up, and stay engaged, Beacon Hill is forced to listen.

This certainly isn’t the end of the fight, but it is an important win.

29/05/2026

“These officials pushed for an override vote, lost, and are now extracting political payback by taking away something the town enjoys during the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. They are acting this way for political purposes, to get back at the very people they are supposed to serve.”

Rutland, Massachusetts recently canceled its main Fourth of July celebrations over concerns about

29/05/2026

“They are acting this way for political purposes, to get back at the very people they are supposed to serve. The cancellation is not justified and the refusal to return the donations that private citizens and businesses gave for this year’s firework celebration on the 4th of July is repugnant.”

(MassFiscal) urged Attorney General Andrea Campbell to investigate what he called an “attempted confiscation” of funds.

Rutland Town Administrator Heather Butler did not return a request for comment Thursday.

boston.com/news/local-news/2026/05/28/july-4th-fireworks-cancellation-sparks-intense-pushback-in-rutland/

Rutland officials said that the rejection of a tax override forced them to cancel the annual fireworks show, parade, and concert.

28/05/2026

More footage out of Rutland... 🎇🎇

At last nights meeting in Rutland, officials confirmed they were holding the town's Fourth of July celebration hostage.

Residents were told that even if they raised the money themselves, the town would not allow the celebration to happen.

Even if private citizens and businesses paid for the fireworks and staffing themselves, the police union would file a grievance.

The town didn't get its way, the vote failed, and town is now making good on its promises.

No parade. No fireworks. No concert. Even though the community already paid for it.

Maybe they'll try to steal Christmas next?

28/05/2026

Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis appears ready to step in to help save Rutland’s Fourth of July celebration.

His office has offered deputies, volunteers, and additional resources to make the event possible and safe.

Combined with the private funding, the resources are there.

Now it’s up to town officials to decide whether the event moves forward or remains canceled, despite available resources.

28/05/2026

More Fireworks in Rutland 🎆

After town voters rejected a Proposition 2½ tax override, town responded officials canceled the Fourth of July parade, fireworks, and concert.

The issue? The event was already being funded through private donations from residents and local businesses.

It sure seems like it wasn't about money.

Officials claimed staffing shortages made the event unsafe, but community members suggested bringing in outside help to handle those concerns.

Even the Police Chief acknowledged that was an option back in April, but dismissed it as "not appropriate."

So instead of using available solutions, the town chose to cancel the celebration entirely.

Now the event is gone, and the donations raised for it are being kept by the town.

Residents had the temerity to say no to higher taxes. Now, many feel as though they're being retaliated against.

28/05/2026

The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance condemned the move to cancel the events, and called for the Attorney General to step in since people and businesses who privately raised donations won't get their money back.

"The decision by Rutland officials is inexcusable and the local officials making this decision should immediately resign.”

Two communities in Massachusetts have canceled their Fourth of July activities for reasons that include staffing shortages, officials said.

28/05/2026

“These officials pushed for an override vote, lost, and are now extracting political payback by taking away something the town enjoys during the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence. They are acting this way for political purposes, to get back at the very people they are supposed to serve.”

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, a small Massachusetts town has canceled its Fourth of July celebration and declared that it is “not feasible” to refund individual donation money.

27/05/2026

At a recent meeting of the Barnstable County Assembly, one Cape Cod resident stood up and said:

“My generosity has been abused and I am sick of it.”

He was speaking out against a proposal to limit local cooperation with ICE.

That moment is resonating across Massachusetts because it reflects what many taxpayers are experiencing right now.

Higher costs. More pressure. Less confidence that their money is being well spent.

At the same time, the Massachusetts Senate just passed a $63.4 BILLION budget.

A record level of spending that continues to expand government commitments, including funding tied to services for non-citizens.

Beacon Hill is spending more than ever, and taxpayers are starting to notice and speak up.