Alternatives sought as reparations funding from cannabis tax dwindles in Amherst

Daily Hampshire Gazette – Alternatives sought as reparations funding from cannabis tax dwindles in Amherst Amherst Town Hall STAFF FILE PHOTO AMHERST — A plan to provide $2 million over 10 years toward municipal reparations initiatives, such as programs for youth or first-time homebuyers, could be stymied by the anticipated drying up of tax revenue associated with cannabis sales in Amherst as the main source of funding. Appreciating that getting to the $2 million threshold in a timely fashion could be increasingly challenging, former town councilor Michele Miller and current School Committee member Irv Rhodes, who served on the African Heritage Reparation Assembly, recently appealed to the Finance Committee to find an alternate funding source for reparations. Miller told finance officials that it’s important for the Town Council and Finance Committee to discuss the matter. “I remain concerned about the cannabis tax being our model, given we’re seeing a decline in that,” Miller said. Their conversation with the Finance Committee comes after the June 2022 decision by the Town Council to establish the fund, from which up to $100,000 could be drawn annually to address harms perpetrated against residents of African heritage. The Town Council action called for transferring annually...