Mass. Gov. Patrick signs sales tax holiday bill

Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill creating another sales tax holiday in Massachusetts, scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 13-14.

House and Senate lawmakers had previously approved the measure suspending the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax on just about anything sold for less than $2,500.

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.