Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 23, 2023 Senator Lewis votes for tax relief bill to help working families and seniors B OSTON — State Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate on June 15 in unanimously passing a $590 million tax relief bill that will help make living in Massachusetts more aff ordable for working families and seniors and bolster our state’s economic competitiveness. Senator Lewis has been a leader in the eff ort to ensure that tax relief is focused on low- and middle-income residents, and does not include unnecessary giveaways to wealthy households and large, profi table corporations. “I was very pleased to join my Senate colleagues in support of this bipartisan legislation that will provide some badly-needed assistance for Massachusetts households with high housing costs, high child care costs, and other living expenses,” said Senator Lewis. “I’m proud that the Senate bill is fi scally responsible and does not include wasteful and unnecessary tax cuts being championed by some business groups that would only further exacerbate income and wealth inequality in our state and do nothing to foster greater economic growth and opportunity.” Some of the key provisions included in this bill are: • Increases the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), one of the most eff ective anti-poverty programs, from 30% to 40% of the federal credit • Increases the Child and Dependent Tax Credit from $180 to $310 per child/dependent and eliminates the current cap that limits the credit to a maximum of two children/dependents ing the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) from $40 million to $60 million annually During the fl oor debate, the State Senator Jason Lewis is shown addressing his colleagues recently. • Increases the cap on the rental deduction from $3,000 to $4,000 • Doubles the maximum senior circuit breaker tax credit, which helps elderly residents who struggle with high housing costs, from $1,200 to $2,400 • Reforms the estate tax by lifting the exempt threshold from $1 million to $2 million and eliminating the current cliff eff ect • Encourages housing development by increasing the statewide cap for the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) from $10 million to $30 million annually, and by increasSenate also adopted an amendment off ered by Senator Lewis that will help prevent tax avoidance by very wealthy households that are subject to the new Fair Share Amendment approved by Massachusetts voters last November. The amendment requires that a married couple who fi les their tax return jointly at the federal level must also fi le their state tax return jointly. A six-member Conference Committee will now be appointed to reconcile the differences between the tax relief bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, before the fi nal bill is sent to Governor Maura Healey for her signature. Mary Anne Gray memorial Scholarship awarded to Peyton Lightbody M Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com ALDEN - On Tuesday, May 30th, the Malden High School Class of 1981, through the MHS Alumni Association, awarded $1000 to Senior Peyton Lightbody. Kevin Larson and Mary Ellen O’Meara represented the Class in memory of Classmate Mary Anne Gray. “Mary Anne Gray embodied the spirit of MHS and kept the class together all these years, organizing the reunions. Her fi nal act of kindness and cohesion was the coordination of the 40+1 class reunion event in September 2022. Sadly, she passed away after a long-time illness on November 18th, not even two months after the reunion,” explained O’Meara in her award speech. “Her friends and classmates celebrated ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Custom, Sprawling Ranch features 8+ rooms, 4+ bedrooms, 4 full baths, granite kitchen with peninsula seating and ceramic tile flooring, separate dining area leading to entertainment-size dining room open to great room with fireplace and triple atrium doors to beautiful sunroom with ceramic tile flooring, master suite offers private bath with walk-in, oversized shower, convenient 1st floor laundry, finished lower level provides great space for the extended family, central air, security system, updated roof (2019), large, level, corner lot with inground pool surrounded by cement patio, irrigation system, storage shed, one car attached garage, circular driveway, located in desirable Forest Highlands. You will feel right at home once you walk through the double door entry. Offered at $1,200,000. 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Pictured from left, Mary Ellen O’Meara, Peyton Lightbody, scholarship recipient, and Kevin Larson in the Jenkins Auditorium at MHS. her life with a Comedy Night Fundraiser at Prince Pizza in April 2023 and an additional Go-Fund-Me campaign for all those who were unable to attend,” Larson added. The Class of ‘81 will keep Mary Anne’s memory alive by awarding a scholarship in years to comew to a deserving MHS senior. Cheryl LaRosa, another class leader, emphasized, “The account is open with the Alumni Association and checks can be sent at any time for those who missed this opportunity.” LaRosa coordinated the scholarship fund in Mary Anne’s honor with the MHSAA offi ce. The recipient, Peyton Lightbody, was chosen for being an example of citizenship, kindness, helping others and MHS spirit. “In today’s society, gifted people with these social skills make a diff erence in the world, just like Mary Anne did,” noted O’Meara. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/ Advocate.news.ma
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