Lawmakers give millionaires' tax overwhelming endorsement
The Boston Globe
If a "millionaires' tax" is approved by Mass. voters in 2018, on the next dollar you earn after your first million in annual income, you'll pay approximately nine pennies rather than approximately five. Adds up to an income tax that's progressive but still reasonable.
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State House Office
State House, Room 416
Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 617-722-1572
Fax:
617-626-0898
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Dear Friend,
During recent Senate debate on the state budget, I offered several amendments to help out people living in especially tough circumstances.
One amendment added funds for the Secure Jobs Initiative, connecting low-income parents in homeless shelters and emergency housing to job training and job placement services, including follow-up support for a full year.
A second effort increased funding for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission, charged with preventing abuse against vulnerable people. DPPC runs a hotline to accept abuse complaints, oversees investigations, and develops plans to protect victims from further harm.
A third initiative aims to prevent troubled young people from re-entering the juvenile justice system. Run by the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps, the program provides 24/7 case management for kids while they await trial.
The Senate did good work on a number of other fronts, too:
· $4.63B in Chapter 70 education aid, a $116.1M increase benefiting every school district, including a minimum increase of $55 per pupil;
· $136.4M for substance abuse prevention and treatment, allowing for 150 new residential treatment beds and other lifesaving programs;
· $15M for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support the state's thriving creative economy.
Next step: a conference committee to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget.
Appreciatively,
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Chelmsford rallies to fight opioid addiction
Under a hard rain, 360 runners hit the pavement for a Mother's Day 5K for opioid addiction awareness. Proceeds go to Healthy Chelmsford, a local partnership. Here, with Run founders Nancy and Don Patch and Chelmsford Chief of Police James Spinney.
Learn more about their efforts.
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Lexington marks opening of accessible units
Tip of the hat to Lexington and its Housing Authority, which just opened four units accessible to people with disabilities. The homes are environmentally-friendly to boot. As Co-Chair of the Legislature's Disabilities Caucus, I do wonder how we're all going to live as we get older.
From L-R: Town Manager Carl Valente, LHA Board Member Nicholas Santosuosso, LHA Board Member Robert Peters, State Rep. Jay Kaufman, Former LHA Director Steve Keane, LHA Director Caileen Foley, me, LHA Board Member Melinda Walker, Lexington CPA Chairwoman Marilyn Fenollosa, and LHA Board Chairman Weidong Wang.
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Community meeting on disability policy
Thanks to the
Greater Waltham Arc for hosting its City Leaders Forum. Here, alongside Chairperson of the Disability Services Commission Mark Johnson, City Councilor Stephen Rourke, State Rep. Tom Stanley, and Disability Services Commission Member Joann D'Amico Stone.
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