Sales Tax Holiday Passes Mass. House

Shoppers looking for a deal are one step closer to seeing another sales tax holiday in Massachusetts.

The House voted 123-23 on Wednesday to approve a bill suspending the state's 6.25 percent sales tax on just about anything sold for less than $2,500 during the weekend of Aug. 13-14.

Retailers say the holiday boosts sales during a slow time of year, and helps families make much-needed purchases.

Critics of the holiday say it costs the state an estimated $20 million in tax revenue that could be used to fund services already facing cuts.

This would be the state's seventh tax holiday in the past eight years.

The bill now moves to the Senate.

A spokesman for Gov. Deval Patrick said the governor will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.