Did you know that the current legislative session at the MA State House ends in just two weeks?
That’s right: any bills that don’t pass between now and July 31st are done until next year (at the earliest).
That means that there will be a flurry of activity in the coming weeks, and we want to keep you in the loop.
Stop the MA Legislature from Giving Massive Tax Breaks to the Wealthiest Estates
The Massachusetts tax system hits the wallets of lower-income people harder than high earners, with the bottom 20% of earners paying a higher percentage of their income in state and local taxes than the top 1%. An exception is the Commonwealth’s relatively robust estate tax. The estate tax is one of the main policies we have focused on reducing the gaping racial wealth gap in Massachusetts.
Nonetheless, the Massachusetts House voted last week to roll back the estate tax, to the cost of $207 million. This lost revenue means money isn’t available for important investments or for tax relief for the struggling residents of the Commonwealth.
Even worse, the estate tax rollback was designed in a way that disproportionately benefits the largest estates, namely those over $3 million. This would be the biggest increase in the racial wealth gap in decades.
If legislators want to help comparatively smaller estates, they should design their design their policies to do so, not advance a costly giveaway to the wealthiest estates.
Can you write to your state senator to urge them to reject the House’s estate tax proposal?
Turn up the Heat: MA Needs Climate Action
A climate bill is in the works, but it hasn’t reached the Governor’s desk yet. Together, the provisions laid forth in the House and Senate proposed bills put Massachusetts in a good position to implement strategies to reduce our emissions 50% by 2030 – as required by law – and create healthier communities.
But these strategies cannot wait two years more to be passed into law! Let’s ensure that lawmakers finalize a climate bill that moves us toward our shared climate and justice goals.
The conference committee and House and Senate leaders must send a bill to the Governor’s deskby Thursday, July 21 to avoid the chance of a pocket veto by Governor Baker.
Your legislators need to hear from you: no climate bill is not an option! Advocates are circulating a public sign-on letter for legislators to show their support for moving this forward swiftly. Your legislators need to hear from you that it’s important they demonstrate support!!
Take action!
- Check if your legislators have signed onto the letter
- If not, send your legislators a message asking them to sign on – either by emailing them or calling them.
Dear _________
I am alarmed to hear that, in the final days of the legislative session, a comprehensive climate bill is still not on the governor’s desk. We have very little time before the end of the session.
[why passing a climate and justice bill is important to you]
We must get a climate bill to the governor’s desk by Thursday. Please join me in voicing your support for swift passage by signing on to this public “Dear Colleague” letter.
Thank you,
Call
I’m calling to voice concern that the legislature has still not passed a climate bill this session. Climate advocates are circulating a public sign-on letter for legislators in support of quickly moving a bill. Has the Representative/Senator seen the letter? You can view the form and the letter at bit.ly/maclimate22. Will the Representative/Senator sign on?
If yes: Wonderful, thank you. They can use the sign-on form found in the letter
If not sure/need to get back to you: Please let me know what the legislator says.
If no: Can you explain why not?
Two More Asks from Our Allies
- Join the Common Start Coalition in calling on the MA House to pass legislation to transform the child care system in MA, including more affordability for families, early educator raises, and stability for child care providers.
- Join the Safe Communities Act coalition for a Lobby Day this Thursday at 11 am at the State House. Can’t make it? You can still email your legislators in support.
