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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 7, 2022 Page 15 Construction continues at Wellington Station’s south yard. Orange Line Transformation Program Update F ollowing the 30-day shutdown, the Orange Line Transformation (OLT) program remains in full swing, advancing work on the Wellington Yard and Maintenance Facility, Traction Power Substations and Orange Line Signals. Continue reading to learn more about ongoing and upcoming construction to improve safety, service and reliability for riders. As a reminder, newly installed track and ballast settles under the weight and movement of regular train service. For this reason, slow zones have temporarily remained in place, allowing BHRC | FROM PAGE 19 lot when it was approved by the 20192020 Legislature and then the 20212022 Legislature. If voters approve the proposal, it will become part of the state constitution. The most recent approval was on June 9, 2021 when the House approved the tax hike 121-39 and the Senate approved it 38-2. The proposal has been dubbed by sponsors as “the Fair Share Amendment.” Opponents reject that label and call it another unnecessary excessive tax. Supporters say the amendment will affect only 18,000 extremely wealthy individuals and will generate up to $2 billion annually in additional tax revenue. They argue that using the funds for education and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and public transportation will benefit millions of Bay State taxpayers. They note the hike would help lower income families which are now paying a higher share of their income in taxes. Opponents argue the new tax will result in the loss of 9,500 private sector jobs, $405 million annually in personal disposable income and some millionaires moving out of state. They say that the earmarking of the funds for specific projects is a phony sham and argue all the funds will go into the General Fund and be up for grabs for anything. “The Fair Share Amendment is a win for all Massachusetts residents,” said O’Day. “That is why the list of small businesses, unions and community organizations that support Question 1 continues to grow. I encourage everyone to visit fairsharema.com, read the text of the amendment and learn more about our efforts. If you’re part of the 99 percent of Massachusetts residents who make less than $1 million a year, your taxes will not change.” “I am proud to be the lead Senate sponsor of the Fair Share Amendment … because it will make our tax system track engineers to confirm when settling is complete and that the track is ready to support trains at full speed. OLT improvements continue across the Orange Line • Wellington Yard and Maintenance Facility: Last week crews continued the installation of a new switch machine, track and wires in the south yard. In the coming weeks, crews will continue replacing track in the south yard. In the Maintenance Facility, workers installed new electrical lighting and fire alarm more equitable by asking the wealthiest households to pay a little bit more, and it will strengthen our economy by investing these funds to improve educational opportunities for all students and help rebuild our aging transportation system,” said Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “Question 1 is a win-win for Massachusetts: only people who earn more than $1 million annually will pay more, and 99 percent of us won’t pay a single penny more,” says Jeron Mariani, campaign manager for Fair Share for Massachusetts. “And we’ll all benefit from $2 billion every year that’s constitutionally dedicated to schools, colleges, roads, bridges and public transportation. That’s why thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders are working together to pass Question 1.” "How many times do voters need to reject a graduated income tax before the insatiable Takers accept their decision?" said Chip Ford, executive director of Citizens for Limited Taxation, which led the opposition to and defeat of the last two attempts to impose a graduated income tax in 1976 and 1994. "They won't be satisfied until they drive out the productive and strangle the golden goose to death. Then who'll they pillage?" “Question 1 is one of the state’s highest-ever proposed tax increases at a time when our state already has the biggest budget surplus in its history,” said Dan Cence, spokesperson for No on Question 1. “Proponents claim that it will raise taxes only on Massachusetts’ highest earners, but in reality, Question 1 would nearly double the income tax rate on tens of thousands of small business owners, family farmers, retirees, homeowners and other Massachusetts residents. We feel strongly that Massachusetts voters will recognize the harm that this tax hike will have on our economy and vote No on Question 1.” systems and replaced track. Looking ahead, crews will continue the installation of the new fire alarm system. • Orange Line Traction Power Substation Upgrades: Work continues to upgrade these Substations with new power infrastructure and equipment. This week at Oak Grove Station, crews continued preparations to install the new epoxy flooring system, and at Sullivan Station electrical duct bank repairs were performed. Next, workers will begin installing new electrical equipment in the substation at Oak Grove. At Sulli“Voters must decide this November, if they will go along with the Legislature’s very deceptive ballot question, which gives them a blank check to spend the new tax on anything they want,” said Paul Craney of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “The deceptive ballot question hopes to raise the income tax by 80 percent on some taxpayers and small business owner that want to retire and sell their business. If taxpayers think an 80 percent income tax increase is just too high, they can send the clearest message this November and vote ‘No’ on Question 1.” Here’s the official arguments of the supporters and opponents as they appear in the Redbook – the book, distributed by the Secretary of State to households across the state, that provides Information to voters on ballot questions. IN FAVOR: Written by Cynthia Roy, Fair Share Massachusetts FairShareMA.com “By voting Yes on Question 1, you will make sure that the very richest in Massachusetts—those who make over $1 million a year—pay their fair share. Current tax rules allow multimillionaires to pay a smaller share in taxes than the rest of us. Question 1, the ‘Millionaires’ Tax,’ will make the extremely wealthy pay an additional 4 percent on the portion of their yearly income above $1 million. The additional money is constitutionally guaranteed to go toward transportation and public education. Question 1 means every child can go to a great school. We can fix our roads, expand access to vocational training, and make public colleges more affordable. Excellent roads and schools help our small businesses grow, create new jobs and build strong communities. Question 1 means creating opportunity for everyone.” Vote Yes on Question 1. Only the very rich will pay—not the rest of us.” AGAINST: van Station, crews will install a new electrical power supply to the mobile traction power substations. • Orange Line Signal Upgrades: The MBTA is in the process of replacing the Orange Line’s analog signal system with new digital infrastructure. This week crews started the installation of electrical power supplies for new signal equipment at Wellington, Sullivan, Chinatown and Community College Stations. This work will continue in the coming weeks. Please note: The schedule for these major infrastructure projWritten by Paul D’Amore, Small Business Representative Coalition To Stop the Tax Hike Amendment www.NoQuestion1.com “Question 1 nearly doubles the state income tax rate on tens of thousands of small-business owners, large employers and retirees. Question 1 treats one-time earnings—the sale of homes, investments, businesses, pensions and inheritances—as income. This would suddenly force many residents into the new, very high tax bracket, depleting the nest eggs of small-business owners and longtime homeowners whose retirement depends on their investments. Record inflation, supply chain difficulties, and continuing COVID-19 issues make now the worst possible time for massive tax increases—especially when Massachusetts already has a giant budget surplus. There is absolutely no guaranteed revenue from this huge tax hike would actually increase spending on education and transportation. Politicians are giving themselves a blank check, with no accountability. Organizations representing over 20,000 small businesses and family farmers urge: Vote ‘No’ on Question 1.” Listed below is how your local state representatives and senators voted on the proposed constitutional amendment on June 9, 2021. (A “Yes” vote is for the tax hike. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes Sen. Jason Lewis Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL GRANTS TO PRESERVE VETERANS’ HISTORY – Secretary of State Bll Galvin’s office, in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Historical Records Advisory Board, is offering matching grants of up to $15,000 to cities and towns and non-profit organizations including libraries, historical societies ects is dependent on weather and COVID-19 guidelines and subject to change without notice. For more information: Visit www.mbta.com/OLT to see the numerous projects that OLT is carrying out to improve your experience riding the Orange Line. To stay informed of service changes, sign up at www.mbta.com/alerts. If you have any questions, please email OLT@MBTA.com. To report OLT construction issues and noise complaints, please call the project hotline: 617222-3393. and commissions, museums, schools and colleges, to preserve objects, sites and document collections that are significant to the history and experiences of military veterans in the Bay State. If applicants submit a satisfactory letter of intent letter of intent by November 6, 2022. they beinvited to submit a full application. For more information contact www.sec.state. ma.us/arc/ DESIGNATING JULY 8 AS MASSACHUSETTS EMANCIPATION DAY (H 3117) – The House approved and sent to the Senate a measure, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Ciccolo (D-Lexington) designating July 8 as Massachusetts Emancipation Day also to be known as Quock Walker Day, in recognition of the court ruling that rendered slavery unconstitutional in the commonwealth. Walker, born to enslaved Black parents in Massachusetts, was the driving force behind this ruling. "The inspiration for this bill comes from Sean Osborn, a Lexington resident and historian who founded the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington (ABCL)," said Rep. Ciccolo. "I am looking forward to annually commemorating Quock Walker's significant place in our state's history.". NATIONAL DWARFISM AWARENESS DAY (H 5321) – The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation establishing October 25 as Dwarfism Awareness Day. Supporters say that around the world people with dwarfism face social and physical barriers. They note that October 25 was chosen as the day for Dwarfism Awareness Day because it was the birthday of Billy Barty who was an American actor who had dwarfism, and in 1957 set up Little People of America—an organization that supports people with dwarfism as well as raising awareness about the issue. Sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro), a retired teacher from Attleboro BHRC | SEE PAGE 19

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