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Assembly votes to send home‑rule transfer‑fee petition to Legislature after heated debate
Summary
After nearly five hours of testimony and amendments, the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates adopted a home‑rule petition to allow participating towns to impose a high‑value real estate transfer fee for year‑round housing, sending the measure to the state Legislature for consideration. The adoption passed narrowly by population weighting.
The Cape Cod Regional Government Assembly of Delegates voted to adopt a home‑rule petition that would allow participating Barnstable County towns to impose a real estate transfer tax on the portion of high‑value property sales over a locally set threshold and dedicate revenues to year‑round housing programs. The motion passed after amendments and lengthy public comment; the chair announced that delegates representing 51.4% of the county population voted in favor.
Supporters said the petition gives towns a practical tool to address a region‑wide housing shortage. "This petition gives us one possible way to get this across the finish line," said Michael Holcomb, who read a letter on behalf of state legislators including Sen. Julian Cyr that urged the assembly to act. Rafael Richter, who called from Truro and said he runs a local employer, told delegates the measure would help stem the loss of…
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