Dear Neighbors: 

I am so honored to be sworn in for a second term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. I am excited to continue our important work together on behalf of the neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Roslindale, Readville and West Roxbury!

We are pleased to share some important updates below. As always, please feel free to reach out to me at rob.consalvo@mahouse.gov or 617-722-2140 with questions or for assistance with any issue.

All the best,

Rob

Updates

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS



I am excited to announce that House Speaker Ron Mariano has named me Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy as well as a member of the Joint Committees on Bonding, Housing, and Emergency Preparedness and Management. I am looking forward to the important work ahead as we begin the 193rd session of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

LEGISLATION

I have sponsored several bills and co-sponsored dozens of others. I am excited to advocate for these important legislative items and look forward to working with my colleagues towards passage of these bills. For more information on bills I am sponsoring or cosponsoring, and to track their progress, please visit here. 

As always, please feel free to reach out to me any time to share your thoughts, comments or concerns on any piece of legislation.

RIVER STREET BRIDGE

MassDOT is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m., to share their updated plans regarding the River Street Bridge. Please see the flyers below for details and how to access the Zoom meeting.

FOWL MEADOW CLEAN UP

Please join us for our third annual Fowl Meadow Clean Up with Keep Hyde Park Beautiful and DCR!

This year it will be March 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Meadow Road in Readville. We look forward to seeing you there!

So humbled and honored to be sworn in for a second term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives

It was great to be back at the 24th Annual Haitian Independence Day Gala!

Thank you Boston Trinity Academy in Hyde Park for having me speak to the students about government and public service. Such a fun part of my job! Great questions also by the students!

I had the pleasure to attend the Embrace unveiling on the Boston Common, a historic day for our City!

Thank you to my friend Chairman Adrian Madaro for meeting with VITFriends, an organization dedicated to supporting those with the disease Vitiligo.

Always a pleasure to attend the MassBio Policy Leadership Breakfast with colleagues from the House of Representatives

Thank you to the Mothers Out Front Mobilizing for a Livable Climate, West Roxbury/Roslindale/Hyde Park chapter, for having me to your State House open house! Proud to stand with you on many issue important to our Commonwealth!

I was proud to testify at at the Boston City Council field hearing in West Roxbury in support of a senior center in West Roxbury. Many thanks to my friend Rep. Coppinger for your hard work on this.

Many thanks to April Ricci and Shaw's Hyde Park for an amazing Black History Month celebration!

Resources

Senior Circuit Tax Breaker

WHAT IS THE CIRCUIT BREAKER?

It’s called the Circuit Breaker Tax Credit because it’s “triggered,” like an electrical circuit breaker, when property tax payments exceed 10% of a senior citizen’s annual income. Those who qualify will still be required to pay property taxes to their local communities. Seniors who are homeowners may be eligible to receive a credit on their Massachusetts state income taxes if their property taxes paid, together with half of their water and sewer bills, exceed 10% of their income. If the credit is greater than the amount of taxes owed, the state will refund the difference. The maximum credit allowed for tax year 2022 is $1,200. Seniors who are renters may be eligible to receive a credit when 25% of their annual rent exceeds 10% of their total income, subject to the same $1,200maximum.

IS THERE A SPECIAL APPLICATION?

If eligible, you can claim the credit by submitting a completed Schedule CB,

Circuit Breaker Credit, with your 2022 state income tax return.

Eligible seniors must file a return and claim a refund even if they do not owe taxes.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Massachusetts residents who:

• Are age 65 or older by December 31, 2022 (for joint filers, it is sufficient if

one taxpayer is 65 years of age or older).

• Own or rent residential property in Massachusetts and occupy the property

as primary residence.

• Have an annual income of $64,000 or less for a single filer who is not the head of household; $80,000 or less for a head of household; or $96,000 or less or joint filers.

• Have property assessed at no more than $912,000.

WHO IS NOT ELIGIBLE?

• Nonresidents

• Married persons who do not file jointly.

• Those who are a dependent of another tax filer.

• Those who receive a federal or state rent subsidy directly, or those who live in a property-tax exempt facility.

• Those whose property is assessed at a value of more than $912,000.

• Those who rent from a landlord who is not required to pay real estate taxes.