Page 16 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2023 BEACON | FROM Page 14 all the while acutely aware that they make 94 cents for every dollar they spend. Through a tax credit, this bill further incentivizes already committed farmers, as well as generous local restaurants, to donate food to food banks, meal sites and pantries—allowing them an opportunity to give within an expanded liability protection framework while strengthening our food system.” TAX CREDIT FOR DONATION OF OYSTER SHELLS (SD 432) – Would provide a tax credit of $5 per full 5-gallon bucket to individuals or businesses that donate oyster shells to an oyster shell recycling organization. “A shell recycling tax credit presents a creative and thoughtful tool to help diminish land fill waste, create habitat and mitigate pollution in our waters,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “A $5 tax credit per 5-gallon bucket of recycled shells for restaurants will help encourage this environmentally friendly practice.” LAST MONTH’S RENT AND SECURITY DEPOSIT (SD 141) – Would amend a current law which allows landlords to charge both last month’s rent and a security deposit to new tenants. “If this bill is enacted, landlords will only be permitted to charge last month’s rent or the security deposit,” said sponsor Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). In short, this bill significantly lowers the upfront cost of renting.” PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES MUST RELEASE TAX RETURNS (SD 617) – Would require any presidential candidate who files to appear on a primary ballot in Massachusetts to release the most recent four years of their federal tax returns. “For half a century, it has been a biYour Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $150 per paper in-town per year or $200 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 W EVERETT...Desirable Ranch style home offers 5+ rooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, eat-in kitchen open to dining room with ier ban ar ring nenien r r aunr up. central air (2020). level yard (partially in Chelsea) with deck and storage shed, off street, tandem parking, located in desirable Woodlawn neighborhood. Offered at $459,900 335 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 partisan custom for presidential candidates to release their tax returns before the election,” said sponsor Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham). “I filed this legislation because voters deserve transparency from presidential candidates. Tax returns provide the necessary information to assess the details of a candidate’s potential conflicts of interest or possible corruption which could have an undue influence on candidates should they be elected to office.” ESTABLISH CHILDREN’S CABINET (SD 2242) – Would establish, under the governor’s office, a Children’s Cabinet to develop and implement a cohesive vision using integrated services to improve child, youth and family outcomes, including issues relating to child poverty, educational preparedness, mental health, homelessness, foster care, juvenile justice and the health, safety and welfare of children. “I am proud to sponsor this legislation so we can ensure the wellbeing of our children is prioritized and elevated across the most powerful cabinets of state government,” said sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett). “Children across our state were some of the hardest hit individuals throughout the pandemic.” He noted the new cabinet will coordinate government agencies to use every lever of power to feed, house and protect our kids. $1,500 TAX CREDIT FOR HEARING AIDS PURCHASE (SD 355) – Would allow a $1,500 tax credit for taxpayers 55 and older who purchase hearing aids. “Hearing loss is one of the most common struggles for our seniors and many times these devices are out of their financial reach,” said sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “Insurance companies will often only cover the cost of one hearing aid, even if the patient may need one in each ear to hear. Every citizen should have the right to a comfortable life and this tax credit would help reduce the financial burden many seniors face and allow them to carry on with everyday life.” QUOTABLE QUOTES “[We] appreciate the support and partnership with USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service and remain committed to ensuring that our most vulnerable populations, including elders, have access to local, fresh food. At a time when food insecurity rates remain high, the added benefit will provide elders with high-quality, nutritious food while supporting our Massachusetts farmers and food producers.” — Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner John Lebeaux announcing that Massachusetts has been awarded $1.4 million to expand the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. “Massachusetts has completely lost its economic competitive edge, now having the highest top tax rate for income taxes in New England, and seventh highest in the entire country. Despite this setback, some Massachusetts lawmakers are pushing forward with ways to add more taxes such as penalizing couples when they file their taxes as married.” — Paul Craney, spokesman for the Mass Fiscal Alliance on a new Tax Foundation report. “His public health expertise and military service make him uniquely qualified to serve as Massachusetts’ first-ever Secretary of Veterans’ Services. I’m confident that he will be the leader our veterans need and deserve and will always stand up for their health, safety and wellbeing.” — Gov. Maura Healey on appointing Rep. Jon Santiago (D-Boston), a major in the U.S. Army Reserve and a physician as the state’s Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs which was recently elevated to a cabinet level position. “One thing I did hear as I crisscrossed the state is, yes, folks want us to pay attention to some national issues, of course, and protect us, but they don’t want us to forget the issues we have to deal with here at home.” — Attorney General Andrea Campbell. 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 February 2024, the House met for a total of nine minutes while the Senate met for a total of four minutes. Mon. Feb. 20 No House session No Senate session Tues. Feb. 21 House 11:05 a.m. to 11:11 a.m. Senate 11:10 a.m. to 11:12 a.m. Wed. Feb. 22 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Feb. 23 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Senate 11:23 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Fri. Feb. 24 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 P N D DR R N D MONDAY – FRIDAY; 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CR N RD 104 NC C R 617-387-4838 Evans Painting No Hassle. No Fuss. Call Amy and Russ Interior/Exterior Amy Evans Tel: 781-820-8189
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