Page 18 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 12, 2024 BHRC | FROM PAGE18 travel in that lane is permitted during peak commuting hours. “While allowing travel in the far-right lane is essential on some highways in the commonwealth to temporarily provide traffic relief during peak hours, many motorists use this lane as a highspeed passing lane, risking the safety of disabled motor vehicles, emergency personnel and themselves,” said sponsor Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick). “Numerous accidents and fatalities have occurred due to excessive speed in the breakdown lanes. This legislation will not only further protect those who dedicate their lives to our safety but will protect motorist safety as well.” A speeding ticket fine imposed on a driver is $100 for any speed up to 10 miles per hour above the speed limit. An additional $10 fine is added for each additional mile per hour above the first ten. The legislation doubles the total fine. For example, if you are traveling 25 miles above the speed limit, the fine would be $250 ($100 for the first ten miles above and $150 for the additional 15 miles above). QUOTABLE QUOTES “Our administration is deeply committed not only to preventing overdoses in our state, but also providing the incredible organizations doing the work in communities with the tools they need to improve health outcomes and save lives. By investing in these diverse organizations now, we are laying the foundation for them to have the resources they need to address the overdose crisis appropriately and quickly in the future.” ---Gov. Maura Healey announcing the awarding of $2.9 million to 20 organizations led by Black, Indigenous and people of color to address substance use in the communities they serve, which continue to be disproportionately impacted by increases in overdoses. “We see the impact of the overdose epidemic every day — thousands are dying every year in Massachusetts from preventable overdoses, and we need to utilize every tool we have to address the crisis.Overdose prevention centers are proven, evidence-based facilities that can save lives and connect people to health care, treatment and recovery and their community.” ---Dave Foley, President of SEIU Local 509 announcing support for establishing overdose prevention centers in the Bay State. “We urge everyone to be vigilant when performing transactions or providing information online for RMV-related services. Customers should avoid using any unofficial third-party websites claiming to assist with RMV services and inform their relatives and friends about this as well.” ---Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Solar power is clean, local and abundant and is already playing a leading role in Massachusetts’ transition away from dirty energy sources. Gov. Healey’s leadership in setting an ambitious yet achievable goal of 1 million solar roofs by 2030 will help turbocharge solar in Massachusetts.” City of Malden MASSACHUSETTS CHILD AND FAMILY TAX CREDIT ing individual. If you are a Massachusetts Y ou are entitled to claim a tax credit on your 2023 Massachusetts individual income tax return if you are taking care of a dependent child, other dependent or spouse with a disability or another dependent who is age 65 or older. You can claim this tax credit if you are filing single, head of household or married filing joint on your tax return. Your dependent child must be under age 13 as of December 31, 2023. With respect to a dependent age 65 or older as of December 31, 2023, that would not include you or your spouse. The tax credit to claim on your Massachusetts return is $310 for each qualifying individual. There is no limit to the number of qualified individuals that you can claim the tax credit for. For calendar year 2024, the tax credit will increase to $440 per qualifynon-resident filing a non-resident Massachusetts income tax return, you cannot claim this tax credit. Part year residents can claim the credit and must calculate the tax credit he or she is qualified for based upon the days living in Massachusetts. A dependent or spouse with a disability is an individual who is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself and who principally lives with the taxpayer for more than half of the taxable year. This is also a refundable tax credit so even if you your total tax is zero and you had no withholdings from wages or pension income, for example, you would still be able to receive a refund based upon the tax credit as calculated on your Massachusetts income tax return. This is the first year that Massachusetts has provided for such a tax credit. It is a big help to taxpayers caring for children, parents or disabled individuals. This is in addition to the virtual doubling of the circuit breaker tax credit available to taxpayers age 65 or older. Joseph D. Cataldo is an estate planning/elder law attorney, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a master’s degree in taxation. Community Preservation Committee Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 6:00 PM Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda Hybrid City Hall Room #105 (in-person) Live streamed via Zoom (virtual) On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed legislation extending certain COVID-19 relief measures including extending remote meetings for public bodies. The same provisions which permitted public bodies to meet remotely, or convene in a hybrid manner, have been extended through March 31, 2025. This extension allows public bodies to continue to meet remotely or to meet in a hybrid manner, without a quorum of the public body physically present at a meeting location. The law requires that a public body provide “adequate, alternative” access to remote meetings. Additional information/guidelines for the public can be found here: https://www.mass. gov/service-details/updated-guidance-on-holding-meetings-pursuant-to-the-actextending-certain-covid-19-measures. Members of the public who wish to attend remotely can do so using the following information: https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/94555285228 Webinar ID: 945 5528 5228 Or join by phone from the US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 929 436 2866 If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000, Ext 2005 CPC Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda April 17, 2024 Annual Survey 1. Public Information Session 2. Call to Order/ Roll Call 3. Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 20, 2024 4. Start Secure Program Guidelines 5. CPC Plan Update 6. Launch of the FY25 Pre-Application 7. Other Business 8. Adjournment of CPC Monthly Meeting Fill out the CPC Annual Survey by 5/1/24! --- Johanna Neumann, Acting Director of Environment Massachusetts, urging Healey and Climate Chief Hoffer to make solar energy a key part of Massachusetts’ strategy to address climate change. HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of April 1-5, the House met for a total of six hour and ten minutes and the Senate met for a total of 42 minutes. Mon. April 1 House11:01 a.m. to 11:16 a.m. Senate 11:16 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tues.April 2 No House session No Senate session Wed. April 3 House11:03 a.m. to 2:58 p.m. No Senate session Thurs. April 4 House11:01 a.m. to 1:01 p.m. Senate 11:16 a.m. to11:44 a.m. Fri. April 5 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Bob founded Beacon Hill Roll Call in 1975 and was inducted into the New England Newspaper and Press Association (NENPA) Hall of Fame in 2019. https://forms.gle/3BuG49iqpgNF9zmF9
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