BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House has approved of a $2 surcharge on car rentals to help pay for enhanced training for local police officers around the state.
Supporters say they expect the fee would raise up to $10 million a year and provide stable revenue for the newly-created Municipal Police Training Fund.
The House voted 145-4 on Wednesday to pass the bill, one day after the Senate approved a similar provision as part of the proposed state budget.
Republican Rep. James Lyons, of Andover, was one of the four votes against the surcharge.
Most Read Nation & World Stories
Lyons said he supports funding for police training, but called it an “absolute joke” that the Legislature could not find the money elsewhere in a $40 billion budget.
Lawmakers originally intended to use revenue from marijuana sales for the fund.