Municipal Officials Urge State House Leaders to Cut Broad Based Taxes and Help Cities and Towns Lower Property Taxes to Bring More Economic Competitiveness for 2024

BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance along with about a dozen municipal officials from across the state held a press conference today with a message to State House leaders, that more can be done in the New Year to push for the state’s economic competitiveness. The local officials were Mayor Robert Hedlund of Weymouth, Plymouth County Commissioner Jared Valanzola, Jonathan Tavares an At-Large Attleboro City Councilor, Ed Dombroski a Wakefield Town Councilor, Carlo Bacci a Town Selectman of Reading, Linda Vacon a Ward 5 City Councilor of Holyoke, Toby Burr a Selectman of Marion, Brendan Sweeney an At-Large Beverly City Councilor, and Todd Taylor a District 1 Chelsea City Councilor.

Update! The controversial $3 billion dollar supplemental budget, which included $250 million in additional funding for the state’s emergency shelter system inevitably made it to the Governor’s desk where it was signed into law, but not without a principled fight led by legislative Republicans. As Democrats hold a super majority in the legislature, they have the numbers to overcome any procedural hurdle if they choose, but this time, the Republican caucuses in both the House and Senate were able to force a quorum to show up at the State House, a counted vote, and some much-needed legislative decorum to this process. So, a recap of what happened:

Statement on House Advancing Controversial Spending Bill with Quorum Present

GOP Caucus Successful in Advocating for the Taxpayers and Transparency in the State House – Leadership Held Accountable

BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance made the following statement today in response to the House advancing the controversial $3 billion-dollar supplemental spending bill which includes $250 million in funding for the state’s emergency shelter system, recently overwhelmed with an influx of migrants. The spending bill does not include Republican amendment efforts to add a residency requirement for the “Right to Shelter” law benefits but it does include a Democratic amendment that will change policy to allow SNAP benefits for migrants. According to State House News Service, in Massachusetts, the maximum SNAP welfare payment for one person is $291 per month, $535 for two people, and $766 for a family of three.