Mass. Treasurer Calls on U.S. Senate Finance Chair to Approve Online Sales Tax

Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman cites fairness to brick and mortar businesses, as well as an additional $387 million in sales tax collected, as reasons to implement a state sales tax on online purchases.

Just in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Massachusetts Treasurer Steven Grossman is asking the U.S. Senate's Committee on Finance to support legislation allowing states to tax sales made online. "This is fundamentally an issue of Main Street fairness - brick and mortar stores that create and support local jobs should not be at a competitive disadvantage against out-of-state online sales giants," Grossman said in a press release Tuesday. "It’s time to level the playing field by creating a consistent sales tax policy." Grossman sent a letter to U.S. Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, urging him to support legislative efforts to allow states to implement uniform Internet sales tax laws. According to the …

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Today in Plymouth

Five Things to Start Your Black Friday: Nov. 23

A few facts, figures and tidbits before heading out with the other crazed shoppers.

1. BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING FORECAST: Friday: Partly sunny. Milder. Highs in mid/upper 50s. Saturday: Mainly cloudy with a few rain showers — it may end as a few wet snow showers in the Worcester hills. Highs in the upper 40s early then temps crash into the upper 30s by night. Sunday: Cold and windy. Clouds and sun. Maybe a flurry well NW? Upper 30s to near 40 for highs. 2. BLACK FRIDAY HISTORY: The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand, and red ink indicated a loss, and black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday …

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Walmart Pushes Back Black Friday Opening in Mass

The retail giant has already released its Black Friday sale circular online.

Shoppers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to take advantage of Black Friday sales at retail giant Walmart. While Walmart locations across the rest of the country will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s Blue Laws prohibit the store to open that early in those two states. Instead, Walmart will open at 1 a.m., which is also the time many other retailers, including Target, plan to open for business on Black Friday.  Shoppers don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to find out about the Black Friday sales at Walmart. The company already has released its circular for the sale. For more ads, check out this site called Black Friday Ads. The sales for a number of retailers are …

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Walmart Pushes Back Black Friday Opening in Mass

The retail giant has already released its Black Friday sale circular online.

Shoppers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to take advantage of Black Friday sales at retail giant Walmart. While Walmart locations across the rest of the country will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s Blue Laws prohibit the store to open that early in those two states. Instead, Walmart will open at 1 a.m., which is also the time many other retailers, including Target, plan to open for business on Black Friday.  Shoppers don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to find out about the Black Friday sales at Walmart. The company already has released its circular for the sale. For more ads, check out this site called Black Friday Ads. The sales for a number of retailers are …

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Work Off the Extra Helpings at Myles Standish State Forest on Black Friday

Instead of going to the store, take a hike on Black Friday.

Did you pile the mashed potatoes too high? Eat one too many slices of pumpkin pie? Did the gravy boat overflow onto your plate? Head out to Myles Standish State Forest for a briskly paced hike to burn off some of those turkey dinner calories. The hike will take place Friday, Nov. 25 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Take a bottle of water and be prepared to cover two to three miles of moderate difficulty trails. Meet at Headquarters at 194 Cranberry Road, South Carver. This program is free and open to the public. For adults and older children who can walk at a moderate to fast pace. Rain or snow cancels. For more information, call (508) 866-2580 x163. For park information & directions, visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/mssf.htm. This free …

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