THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2026 Page 7 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 classifi cation, 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. Lydia Edwards Yes MEANS TESTING (S 2902) Senate 37-0, approved and sent to the House a bill that would make it easier for communities to off er 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 fi nancial burdens for many elderly residents in my communities and across Massachusetts,” said sponsor Sen. Jason Lewis (D-Winchester). “The legislation that I fi led 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. Lydia Edwards 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 fi nances. After September of that year,, campaigns would have to fi le biweekly reports until Election Day. The bill would hold ballot question campaigns to the same standard of disclosure already followed by candidates for offi ce. Currently, ballot committees don’t have to report on their fi nances 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 DiALL DEPOSITS ARE INSURED IN FULL. 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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 fi nance 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. Lydia Edwards 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 fi ne of between $100 and $10,000 and each signature collected would be considered to be a separate off ense.in violation of this section. “By prohibiting pay-per-signature arrangements, we will drastically reduce the unique fi - nancial 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 (DAndover). “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. Lydia Edwards Yes PLEASANT ST. TAX 175 Pleasant Street, Malden Specializing in Personal Income Tax Preparation Starting at $90. Call: (781) 324-6195
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