Mass. lawmakers could extend rideshare fee into 2027

State of play: The Senate included the measure in its supplemental spending bill to allocate funds collected through the so-called millionaire's tax.

• The extension came from an amendment filed by Sen. Brendan Crighton, the State House News Service reported.
• His amendment and several others were approved in a single voice vote before the Senate ultimately passed the bill on Thursday.

Yes, but: The House's version of the bill didn't include the extension.

By the numbers: In the decade since the fee took effect, rideshare use has increased from nearly 65 million trips in 2017 to over 90 million rides, per the state Department of Public Utilities.

• Ridership dipped during the COVID-19 pandemic, but steadily ramped back up by 2024.
• That year, the state collected nearly $18.2 million through the fee, with half going to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund.
• The other half went to cities and towns, depending on how many trips started in their communities.

What we're watching: The spending bill is headed to conference committee, where a panel of House and Senate lawmakers will negotiate the terms of a combined bill.