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Two Patriots defensive linemen say they are not fans of Massachusetts’ “millionaires tax,” siding with former head coach Bill Belichick that players prefer states without income taxes.
Davon Godchaux and Keion White spoke about financial freedom and literacy Wednesday on Godchaux’s “ChauxTalk” podcast, days after Belichick hinted the millionaire’s tax makes it hard for New England to sign top free agents.
“Nah, you know what pissed me off too? When I got here they got that extra 4% millionaires tax out here, too,” White told Godchaux. “That’ll get you too.”
Godchaux responded, “Absolutely. Massachusetts is bad with state taxes, too. It’s terrible. It’s right up there with New York and LA. I just heard Bill Belichick spoke about it … how it was tough to sign free agents in Massachusetts because of the state tax.
“I mean guys these days, if you can sign with a team with no state tax, then go ahead and sign with them because that’s more money you keep in your pocket,” the defensive tackle said.
The voter-approved “millionaires tax” delivered roughly $2.2 billion last fiscal year, a massive haul exceeding original projections set by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration with the surtax designated for transportation and education projects
Beacon Hill decided to spend only $1 billion in surtax revenue in the fiscal year 2024 budget and left any dollars collected beyond that threshold for reserve accounts.
Roughly $524 million went toward education initiatives including $229 million to allow those 25 and older to obtain a degree or certificate for free through any community college. Another $477 million was marked for education projects, including improving accessibility at MBTA stations.
But Godchaux and White highlighted how they’re unaware of how the tax money is being spent.
“What in the Bible says you have to pay taxes? That’s what kills me, though,” Godchaux said. “They say the tax money goes to roads and all that. The roads are still messed up. Where’s the money going? That’s the only thing I have a (problem) about.”
White agreed and brought up the importance of voting.
“A lot of the money is being spent in dumb ways,” he said. “It’s 2024, we should be able to decide where our money goes. Like every time you file your taxes, you can click programs you want to distribute your taxpayer money into.”
White, a 25-year-old defensive end picked in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $7.7 million contract last summer. Godchaux, 29, agreed to a two-year extension worth up to $21 million, with $16.5 million in guaranteed money, last month.
“When you get paid, when I get paid, you have federal taxes, you have state taxes, you’ve got agent fees and then you have to live off the rest,” Godchaux said. “Everybody thinks when you sign a $20 million contract that all $20 million is going to come to you, no.”
Belichick, who left Foxboro in January after a legendary run and is set to serve as a TV analyst this season, made his case Monday on ESPN’s ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’
“It’s Taxachusetts,” he said. “Virtually every player, even the practice squad, well the minimum players are pretty close to $1 million so once you hit that $1 million threshold then you pay more state tax in Massachusetts. It’s just another thing you have to contend with in negotiations up there.”
Bill Belichick: Massachusetts ‘millionaires tax’ a reason why Patriots can’t sign top NFL free agents
Originally Published:
BOSTON, MA — An international restaurant group with locations across the globe is preparing to open its first Massachusetts restaurant this year.
LPM Restaurant & Bar, a French Riviera-inspired restaurant founded in London, is set to open on the second floor of the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street in Back Bay, according to Four Seasons. The hotel lists the restaurant as “Opening Summer 2026,” while the Boston Business Journal reported the restaurant plans to open in September.
The Boston restaurant will mark LPM’s debut in the Northeast and its third U.S. outpost, following locations in Miami and Las Vegas, according to a Four Seasons announcement.
LPM, also known as La Petite Maison, was founded in London in 2007 and is known for French-Mediterranean food, Mediterranean ingredients and dining rooms influenced by Belle Époque design.
The business operates locations in London, Dubai, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Riyadh, Limassol, Doha, Mykonos, Kuwait, Boston, Maldives and Bangkok.
Four Seasons said LPM will take over the space that formerly housed One Dalton’s breakfast concept, One + One. The restaurant will join other dining options at the hotel, including Zuma and Trifecta.
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A Massachusetts high school is under investigation after “several” teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions.
The state Department of Public Health is set to visit Uxbridge High School on Thursday to “conduct a series of air quality tests,” to determine whether the multiple cases are potentially connected.
Superintendent David Ljungberg and Principal Michael Rubin alerted families and district staff on Monday of the “sombering news,” after Uxbridge High School’s graduation over the weekend.
“We are writing to inform you about a concern we are investigating at Uxbridge High School,” Ljungberg and Rubin stated in the letter. “Several female teachers have been diagnosed with breast cancer or precancerous conditions over the past few years.”
“It is, of course, possible that these multiple cases are not connected to one another,” the leaders added, “but out of abundance of caution, we are looking into any environmental factors at the school that may be a factor in their diagnoses.”
The 123,000-square-foot school, with an enrollment of roughly 600, was constructed in 2012 at a cost of $45 million, including a $22-million state reimbursement.
Uxbridge school leaders say they notified the state Department of Health and local health board as soon as they became aware of the cases, seeking “counsel about how best to proceed.”
“Massachusetts DPH officials have indicated that there is no evidence of immediate danger in the building and no reason to limit access to or use of the facility at this time,” they wrote in their letter. “In fact, the public health officials have commended our decision to approach them with these concerns, our readiness to partner with them in support of the evaluation process.”
Health officials are assessing the school’s interior and exterior to “ensure there are no issues with the infrastructure that would present risks (including electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and other systems)” and the indoor and outdoor air quality on campus.
The superintendent and principal said that state officials have ruled out water supply as a “risk factor” after “thorough testing.”
“The team has reached out to the women who have been diagnosed, requesting data to evaluate whether there may be a connection among their cases,” Ljungberg and Rubin wrote. “We are grateful for their cooperation.”
They added that the state has said discovering an environmental “smoking gun” is “rare” in workplace investigations.
“However, even if a direct causal link is not established,” the leaders wrote, “the administration is utilizing this process to rigorously test the building and guarantee that it meets all safety standards moving forward.”
Local News
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow cities and towns to temporarily extend bar and restaurant hours during the summer, as the state prepares to host FIFA World Cup matches and celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The legislation (H.5465) filed by state Rep. Carole Fiola, would allow licensed establishments to sell alcohol one hour later than their normal closing time, up to 3 a.m., between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2026. The bill would also allow communities to establish designated public consumption districts where alcohol could be consumed in approved public spaces.
In a press release announcing the bill, Fiola said the summer’s threefold events lineup — the World Cup, Tall Ships, and July 4th — is an economically significant moment that the state should take advantage of.
“We should capitalize on these events that will generate economic benefits for small businesses and the state as a whole. It’s a local opt-in idea worth exploring that’s being done in other states,” Fiola said.
The proposal has received support from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and most recently Gov. Maura Healey, who submitted written testimony Monday to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies urging lawmakers to advance the measure.
“Massachusetts is planning for a once-in-a-generation summer,” Healey wrote, according to the Boston Globe. “In 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, welcome tall ships from around the world to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston, and host seven FIFA World Cup matches in Foxborough, along with watch parties across the Commonwealth.”
The governor argued that the added flexibility could help local economies benefit from an influx of visitors.
“That flexibility can help communities capture more visitor spending, support jobs, keep downtowns active, and strengthen Massachusetts’ image as a dynamic destination ready to host the world and a place our residents, including our young professionals, are proud to call home,” Healey wrote.
She also urged lawmakers to move the legislation forward, saying it will “help Massachusetts meet the full economic and cultural opportunities for the summer ahead.”
In Rhode Island, a similar bill to allow bars and restaurants to remain open until 4 a.m. during the World Cup was signed into law on Friday.
Fiola’s bill remains before the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. Any final version would require approval from both the House and Senate before reaching Healey’s desk.
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