THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 13, 2022 Page 11 Collision course to the State House B Demonstration and Motorcade by Auto Body industry set for May 18 Additionally, advanced OSTON, MA — In response to a state house hearing on labor rate reimbursed for collision repairs, several hundred Massachusetts auto body shop owners, family members, employees, voctech students and supporters are expected to converge on the State House. In addition to community demonstration of support, a motorcade of flatbed trucks topped with damaged cars will circle the area. The Collision Course event is set for Wednesday, May 18 at 10:30 a.m. – rain or shine. The event is led by The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts (AASP/MA). Scheduled speakers include State Representative James K. Hawkins, D-2nd Bristol; Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg, Executive Director, AASP/MA; Kevin Gallerani, President of AASP/MA and owner of Cape Auto Collision Center, Plymouth, MA; Jack Lamborghini, co-owner of Total Care Accident Repair in Raynham, MA; Guy Glodis, Former State Senator, D-2nd Worcester who led Financial Services Committee as a legislator; and Dennise Caratazzola, concerned consumer from Bridgewater. The group is protesting the unsustainably low reimbursement rates that were artificially set by insurance companies. In a statement, State Senator Michael O. Moore, D-2nd Worcester noted, “The current Labor Rate for the auto body industry in unfair and unsustainable. I will continue to advocate for a legislative change that increases the labor rate to make the industry viable and consumer’s safe.” Brian Bernard, co-owner of Total Care Accident Repair in Raynham, an independent collision center owner, said the current $40-per-hour reimbursement rate is the lowest in the nation and falls far short of covering the body shop owners’ labor, equipment, training and repair costs. As a result, unfortunately, many consumers have to pay the difference out of pocket, he said. Bernard said the labor reimbursement rates paid by Massachusetts auto insurers have stayed the same for 11 years. The rates only moved $10 in nearly 34 years. Since 1988 the labor rate has increased $10 while the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased 137.7% and insurance premiums have increased 254%. Tax Foundation Reports MA is the 5th Highest State for Property Taxes B OSTON – A new Tax Foundation repor t shows Massachusetts has the fifth highest property tax rate in the country, with our state’s ranking not improving over the last few years. According to their report, Massachusetts has been ranked as the fifth highest in 2022, 2021 and 2019. In 2020, Massachusetts was the sixth highest in the country. Many of the New England states rank in the top ten most expensive states in the country, but unlike those other New England states, Massachusetts is considering raising its income tax rate for high income earners and some small businesses at this November’s election through a ballot question. If the ballot question passes, these high income earners and some small businesses are likely to flee our state, further depriving Massachusetts of these revenues and increasing the property tax burden on those who remain. The Tax Foundation’s report notes that property taxes matter to businesses for a wide variety of reasons and pay a significant part of the overall property taxes collected by states. “According to the Tax Foundation, Massachusetts property owners pay among the highest property taxes in the entire country. Today’s report comes after April’s state tax collections numbers show that Massachusetts collected nearly 80% more in taxes this April than last April,” stated Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Making things even worse, Speaker Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka have a ballot question this November to raise income taxes by 80% for some high-income earners and small businesses. If their 80% tax hike passes, many affluent and small businesses will flee out state, leaving the middle class to make up for the loss of tax collections, including property taxes,” continued Craney. “It seems like the Speaker and Senate President are driving the state economy right into a brick wall but they do not seem to care. Eventually, the high taxes, high spending, and high inflation will catch up to them but it will come at the expense of the middle class who will be expected to pay for these reckless decisions by our State House leaders,” concluded Craney. Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance advocates for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability in state government and increased economic opportunity for the people of our Commonwealth. technology has resulted in cars becoming far more complex and expensive to repair. Additional training and equipment have forced Massachusetts auto body shop owners to invest far more to get paid less, Bernard said. “It’s tremendously unfair to consumers who pay thousands of dollars in premiums to have their insurance companies tell them they’re not going to cover the cost of their repairs. We’ve done our best to bring attention to this issue, but at this point we need to make it clear to insurers and consumers that we cannot do this work at the current reimbursement rates,” Bernard said. The final report, issued on April 13, 2022, of the Special Commission on Auto Body Labor Rates outlines the issues that require a vote by the state legislature to rectify. The full report can be found at https:// malegislature.gov/Bills/192/ SD3104. For more information about the Collision Course to the State House rally, visit AASPMA.org/rally PUBLIC AUCTION FRIDAY, JUNE 3RD AT 1:00 PM MORTGAGEE’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE • MALDEN • 15 ROOM / 6 BEDROOM TWO FAMILY “LOCADUPLEX STYLE HOME To Be Sold On The Premises FEATURES: • Two Family Duplex Style Home • • Total of (15) Rooms w/ (6) Bedrooms & (2) Bathrooms • • ±4,317 S/F of Area • Gas FWA Heat • Basement • • Clapboard Siding • Hardwood Floors • Public Water & Sewer • • Zoned: Residential A • Assessor’s Parcel ID: M:137, B:799, L:909 • Sale Per Order Of Mortgagee Attorney Keith K. Fuller 5300 Bigelow Commons, Enfield, CT Attorney For Mortgagee TERMS OF SALE: $10,000.00 Deposit Cash Or Certified Funds 5% Buyers Premium Applies Other Terms To Be Announced At Time Of Sale Aaron Posnik AUCTIONEERS • APPRAISERS West Springfield, MA • Philadelphia, PA 413-733-5238 • 610-853-6655 TOLL FREE 1-877-POSNIK1 • (767-6451) MA Auc Lic #161 • PA Auc Lic #AY000241L Web: www.posnik.com • Email: info@posnik.com TED AT BUS STOP TO MALDEN T-STATION” 220 Lebanon Street Malden, MA
12 Publizr Home