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Page 8 BHRC | FROM PAGE 2 ers from the “shock” of an extraordinarily high third and fourth quarter tax bill in a year when the community’s residential property tax levy rises by more than 10 per cent. Qualifying groups of taxpayers include people aged 65 and older who own and occupy the home; people enrolled in MassHealth; and people living with children under age 6 or under 18. Under current law, the first and second quarter property tax bills for a given year are estimated based on the prior year's tax levy and do not reflect any tax increase. As a result, the third and fourth quarter bills must cover the entire increase, so those two bills increase by twice the full-year percentage increase. The legislation would allow a municipality to use its own funds to give qualified persons a tax credit to cover the third and fourth quarter spike. “Every year across the state, there are a few communities in which homeowners face unusually large tax increases,” said sponsor Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont). “This legislation will give those communities tools to help their most vulnerable taxpayers.” “It is critical that we begin this new year by prioritizing municipal property tax relief,” said sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (D-South Boston). “By advancing these responsible tax relief proposals, we can help ease the burden of rising property tax bills on homeowners without harming small businesses or putting our economy at risk.” “I voted ‘No’ … because tax classification, exceptions and credits, particularly when novel, should be addressed comprehensively and analyzed in the context of other new proposals and existing law,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy), the only senator to vote against the bill. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes INCREASE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX (S 2899) Senate 5-33, rejected an amendment that would allow the city of Boston to shift more of its property tax burden onto commercial real estate in fiscal years 2027 through 2029. The amendment is similar to the one that has been proposed and supported by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. The amendment would have allowed THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 21, 2026 Sen. Jason Lewis No Boston to adjust its property tax classification if residential properties were set to bear a higher share of the total levy than in fiscal year 2025, with maximum shift levels capped at 181.5 percent in fiscal 2027, 180 percent in fiscal 2028 and 178 percent in fiscal 2029. Sen. Mike Rush (D-West Roxbury) framed the amendment as a direct response to what he described as a mounting affordability crisis for Boston homeowners, particularly seniors and working families. He said the amendment was filed at the request of Wu and the Boston City Council and closely mirrored a home rule petition approved by the council and first filed with the Legislature in 2024. He pointed to rising residential values, lagging commercial property values and statutory limits on municipal tax increases as drivers of recent spikes in Boston tax bills. He said the amendment would give Boston temporary flexibility to blunt those increases while state and city officials work on longer-term solutions. Rush added that the average tax bill for a family home rose by more than $500 in 2025 and is expected to increase by more than $700 in 2026, while commercial tax rates have continued to decline. He said those increases have disproportionately affected seniors on fixed incomes. Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) argued that the tax shift proposal risked producing unintended and inequitable outcomes. "One narrative, one example, would be, well, I've got a struggling homeowner that's benefiting from it,” said Brownsberger. “That's good, and I've got an office tower whose private equity owners are paying more taxes. Maybe that narrative makes sense in some cases. But on the other hand, the truth is, we're lowering … taxes for your very wealthy single-family homeowner, perhaps living in something of a mansion in the most tony neighborhood of the city. And you're raising taxes on your little garage owner trying to make things work." (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) INCREASE TAX RELIEF TO VETERANS (S 1948) Senate 38-0, approved a bill that would allow cities and towns to hike from the current $1,500 to $2,000, the property tax break for veterans and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans in exchange for their providing volunteer services to their municipality. “Our veterans have already given so much in service to our nation, and they deserve to be able to remain in the communities they call home,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Provincetown). “For many veterans on Cape Cod, the Islands and across Massachusetts, rising property taxes are putting undue pressure on household budgets that are already razor thin. This bill gives communities a meaningful property tax relief tool while recognizing the service veterans have already given so they may live with the dignity they have earned.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes CREATE TAX REBATE PROGRAMS (S 2900) Senate 37-1, approved and sent to the House a bill that would give cities and towns the option to create tax rebate programs for residents who already benefit from a local residential exemption. This new rebate program would allow cities and towns to set income and asset thresholds, tailoring relief to local residents’ needs. “It is critical that we begin this new year by prioritizing municipal property tax relief,” said sponsor Sen. Nick Collins (D-South Boston). “By advancing these responsible tax relief proposals, we can help ease the burden of rising property tax bills on homeowners without harming small businesses or putting our economy at risk.” “I voted ‘No’ … because tax classification, exceptions and credits, particularly when novel, should be addressed comprehensively and analyzed in the context of other new proposals and existing law,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy), the only senator to vote against the bill. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Jason Lewis ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS - 1st AD - Sought-after Sprawling Ranch boasting 8 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, eat-in kitchen with ceramic tile floor w/slider to heated breezeway, dining room open to large living room with gas fireplace – great for entertaining! Finished lower level with newer ct flooring and fireplace. Central air w/newer condenser, new hot water, new walkways and patio, 1 car garage with newer door, large, level lot, located in desirable Lynn Fells neighborhood, close to everything! MINT-move right in! Offered at $799,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Yes MEANS TESTING (S 2902) Senate 37-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would make it easier for communities to offer local property tax exemptions to seniors by allowing cities and towns to institute a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for income-eligible seniors who have lived in their community for at least 10 years. “Rising property taxes have created serious financial burdens for many elderly residents in my communities and across Massachusetts,” said sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “The legislation that I filed to provide an option for municipalities to opt in to a senior citizen property tax exemption would allow municipalities to support struggling income-eligible seniors and allow many aging residents the ability to continue to live in their communities and not be driven out due to increasing tax burdens.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes REQUIRE MORE PUBLIC DISCLOSURES OF FUNDRAISING AND SPENDING BY BALLOT QUESTION GROUPS (S 2898) Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House a bill requiring more frequent public reporting of fundraising and spending by groups supporting or opposing ballot questions. Under the bill, ballot question committees would be required to provide monthly reports on their finances. After September of that year,, campaigns would have to file biweekly reports until Election Day. The bill would hold ballot question campaigns to the same standard of disclosure already followed by candidates for office. Currently, ballot committees don’t have to report on their finances between Jan. 20 and September. “This is a bipartisan bill, a commonsense bill that we must pass now to ensure our campaign finance laws are strengthened, they're consistent and they're fair for everyone,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “The ballot questions are happening this fall. We have to get this done right now.” “Statewide ballot questions are a great tool for empowering the public to vote directly on statewide policies, but it is vitally important that our voters know which people and organizations are funding these policy proposals,” continued DiDomenico. “I am proud to pass my legislation through the Senate that will close a loophole in our campaign finance law and ensure our residents have all the information they need to make an educated decision when voting on ballot measures.” “With the increasing number of ballot questions in each election, the need for transparency has never been greater,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws. “Many of the questions are backed with significant funding and other resources. This important bill will allow voters to see who is supporting or opposing the ballot questions, sponsoring the ads and paying for mailings. It will help voters make informed decisions at the polls.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes SIGNATURE GATHERING FOR BALLOT QUESTIONS (S 2898) Senate 34-3, approved an amendment that would require that when a ballot question group pays people or a company to gather signatures to qualify the question to be on the ballot, the petition must include a disclosure, in a manner to be determined by the secretary of state, which clearly informs potential signers that the petition is being distributed by a paid signature gatherer. Another provision prohibits pay-per-signature arrangements in this signature gathering process and specifically prohibits any bonus pay or incentives, paid to the signature gatherer, which is contingent upon the number of signatures collected. A violation of this ban would be punishable by a fine of between $100 and $10,000 and each signature collected would be considered to be a separate offense.in violation of this section. “By prohibiting pay-per-signature arrangements, we will drastically reduce the unique financial incentive for signature gatherers to mislead voters into signing petitions and ensure that initiative campaigns can still collect signatures based on the merits of the policy,” said sponsor Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Andover). "Individuals should not be restricted from engaging in political activity that is legal,” said Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), one of three senators to vote against the amendment. “The proponent of the amendment says that this will stop fraudulent activity, but fraudulent activity is already illegal and published on the signature petition. My position revolves around freedom of speech, where people have the ability to petition their government through a ballot process. The ballot process includes payment to collect signatures in various forms, and I don't believe it's constitutional to ban that." (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Jason Lewis Yes BLUE STAR LICENSE PLATES (S 2903) Senate 38-0, approved and sent to the House a proposal that would create a new special license plate to honor the memories of fallen law enforcement officers by offering a symbol of respect to their surviving spouses, parents and children. It would also create a Blue Star Family emblem for motorcycle plates. “As we mourn Officer Stephen LaPorta, who fell in the line of duty, we are reminded that the freedoms and protections of our commonwealth would be impossible without the courage and service of Officer LaPorta and all those who have given their lives to protect others,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “His selflessness reflects the very best of public service and stands as a solemn reminder of the profound debt we owe to those who place themselves in harm’s way to keep our communities safe. This legislation represents small but meaningful recognition to honor the memory of the fallen and to affirm our enduring commitment to the families and loved ones they leave behind.” “It’s especially fitting to bestow this highly visible license plate in recognition for families of law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting their communities,” said Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This distinctive plate will be available to spouses, children and parents of fallen law enforcement officers all across the commonwealth at no additional charge from the Registry. It is a small but meaningful token of appreciation that we can do to honor these BHRC | SEE PAGE 12

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