Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 25, 2025 BEACON | FROM PAGE 15 pling reality of staring down a ballooning debt that seems insurmountable,” said Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), Chair of the Committee on Financial Services. “While the Debt Collection Fairness Act will not eliminate debt or an obligation to pay, the bill does provide a lifeline and opportunity for hope for those caught in the deepest depths of this spiral so that families have some room to breathe, to move forward and break this debilitating cycle.” “President Trump is dismantling federal government agencies dedicated to protecting consumers,” said sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). “Here in Massachusetts, I am proud that the state Senate is voting on my bill— the Debt Collection Fairness Act—to provide protections from the predatory practices of debt collectors for working class families.” “I’m pleased the Senate has Gambling Loss Deduction s part of the big beautiful bill passed by both branches or Congress, and signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, was a change in the amount of gambling losses that can be claimed as an itemized deduction on your 2026 Federal income tax return. For gambling losses incurred in 2026, only 90 percent of such losses will be able to be deducted on Schedule A as an itemized deduction. Needless to say, the gambling industry is not happy about this provision. If a taxpayer had $10,000 in gambling winnings in 2026 and $10,000 in gambling losses, only $9,000 in gambling losses would be deductible as an itemized deduction. The result is the taxpayer is going to pay income taxes even after not having made any money in gambling for the year. Keep in mind that you can only claim gambling losses as an itemized deduction. Therefore, if you end up claiming the standard deduction due to it being higher than the total of your itemized deductions, you end up not claiming a gambling loss and all of the gambling winnings are taxable income with no offsetting losses. With the increase in the SALT (state and local tax) deduction from $10,000 to $40,000, A there will be more taxpayers that will end up itemizing their deductions and therefore would then be able to claim 90% of their gambling losses in 2026. For the calendar year 2025, you can still claim 100 percent of your gambling losses if you itemize your deductions. Gambling losses have always been limited to gambling winnings. That has not changed under the new legislation for the calendar year 2025. However, for the fi rst time, only 90% of gambling losses can be utilized to off set gambling winnings in calendar year 2026. This could be a very big deal for professional gamblers. They may have signifi cant winnings yet only get the 90% deduction. This is intended of course to raise tax revenue to help off set loss of revenue due to other tax provisions in this new legislation. On July 7, 2025, Nevada Representative Dina Titus introduced legislation to restore the 100 percent deduction for gamblers. She named the bill “My Fair Bet Act”, which calls for a fair taxation policy with respect to gambling winnings and losses. The American Gaming Association is obviously supporting her bill. I doubt, now that the law has passed, the Republican controlled congress will vote in favor of her bill. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a masters degree in taxation. ~ Legal Notice ~ passed this commonsense consumer protection measure,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This long overdue legislation will protect individuals from being pushed over a financial cliff due to unsavory debt collectors who prey upon people experiencing fi - nancial hardship, with marginalized communities often being disproportionally affected. It’s more important than ever for the commonwealth to stand up and protect these basic consumer rights in the wake of protections disappearing at the federal level.” The bill was approved by the Senate in the 2023-2024 session but died in the House Ways and Means Committee and never reached the House fl oor for debate and a vote. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Sal DiDomenico Yes CHILD CUSTODY CASES (S 2550) Senate 39-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would align Massachusetts with the other 49 states by adopting the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA). Supporters said the bill addresses longstanding issues under current Massachusetts law, which uniquely relinquishes jurisdiction over custody orders once the custodial parent has lived out of state for six months. They noted the legislation refl ects years of work and collaboration with legal experts and domestic violence CITY OF EVERETT ~ Legal Notice ~ advocates and has broad support from the state’s family law community. “I fi led this bill to align Massachusetts with every other state in the nation,” said sponsor Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton). “The current law places an undue burden on non-custodial parents by forcing them to travel out-of-state for custody proceedings and opens the door to forum shopping and unnecessary multistate litigation. By adopting the UCCJEA, we bring clarity, consistency and fairness to our custody laws, just like every other state has already done.” “Every day, our members who practice family law witness the real and lasting harm caused by the commonwealth being the only state that has not joined the UCCJEA,” said Boston Bar Association President Matthew V.P. McTygue. “This bill is about protectBEACON | SEE PAGE 18 PUBLIC HEARING FOR PETITION FROM MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC COMPANY D/B/A NATIONAL GRID OF NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS To all parties interested in the public hearing. Be it hereby ordered: Massachusetts Electric Company d/b/a National Grid of North Andover, Massachusetts requests permission to construct a line of underground electric conduits, including the necessary sustaining and protecting fixtures, under and across the public way or ways hereinafter named. The following are the streets and highways referred to: WR# 31104118 - Broadway - National Grid to install underground facilities on Broadway beginning at a point approximately 40 feet Northeast of the centerline of the intersection of Gladstone Street and Broadway and continuing approximately 130 feet in a Southwesterly direction. National Grid to install approximately 130 feet of 2-4” conduit from existing manhole C-54 to private property to provide a permanent underground service at 319 Broadway, Everett MA. Wherefore it prays that after due notice and hearing as provided by law, it be granted permission to excavate the public highways and to run and maintain underground electric conduits, together with such sustaining and protecting fixtures as it may find necessary for the transmission of electricity, said underground conduits to be located substantially in accordance with the plan filed herewith marked - Broadway- Everett - Massachusetts. Hearing to be held with the Everett City Council, held on Monday at 7:00PM, on the 11th of August 2025 at the Everett City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Everett City Hall. July 25, 2025
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