Mass. GOP Senate candidate Brown criticizes Obama’s plan to tax banks over bailout money

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Mass. Senate candidate Brown bashes Obama bank tax

QUINCY, Mass. — Massachusetts GOP Senate hopeful Scott Brown is criticizing the White House plan to tax banks that received federal bailout money.

At a rally in a Boston suburb, Brown said the tax would be passed on to ordinary consumers through higher service and ATM fees. President Barack Obama says banks are paying out big bonuses now so they also can afford to pay the tax.

Brown’s Democratic opponent in the U.S. Senate race Tuesday, Martha Coakley, supports the bank tax. Brown told supporters it was one of taxes she would impose if she’s elected to succeed the late Senator Ted Kennedy.

Brown appeared before supporters with former Republican Gov. Bill Weld. Weld endorsed Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Polls show a tight race just three days before the special election.