THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2021 Page 19 Mass. taxpayers are among the most generous in New England T he Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance (MassFiscal) recently weighed in on the Tax Foundation’s new state tax map that shows Massachusetts taxpayers have the second highest state and local tax collections per capita of any of the New England states, trailing only Connecticut. Among the New England states, Connecticut taxpayers pay an average of $8,494 while Massachusetts taxpayers pay an average of $7,006; Vermont taxpayers pay an average of $6,349, Rhode Island, $5,789; and Maine, $5,540. New Hampshire comes in last with taxpayers paying an average of $5,272. Nationally, Massachusetts is the sixth most expensive state, even surpassing California and Illinois. The data is from fi scal year 2018 (the most recent data available), and the state tax map may be found at https://taxfoundation. org/state-local-tax-collectionsper-capita-2021/. “As state lawmakers begin the budget process, they should be cautious that Massachusetts taxpayers are already among the most generous in New England and in the country. Even if State House leaders do not include any new tax hikes in this year’s budget, our taxpayers are already stretched thin. Sustained increases in state spending, continued refusals to make state government more efficient, and no tax relief are all contributing factors to Massachusetts getting to this point,” said MassFiscal Spokesperson/ Board Member Paul Craney. He also stated, “Environmental groups that want to raise taxes have several policies that will soon take eff ect and make matters worse. Next year, Governor Charlie Baker’s Transportation and Climate Initiative will take effect, which acts as another gas and diesel tax hike. Over the next few years, the recently signed Climate Law will further drive up the cost of living and doing business in Massachusetts through arbitrary mandates and increased regulations.” “Pro tax environmental groups aren’t the only group that should be blamed for higher costs down the road. Powerful union bosses are manipulating lawmakers to advance an amendment to the state constitution that would raise taxes on high income earners. These looming tax hikes will be placed on the backs of hard-working Massachusetts taxpayers,” said Craney. Baker signs executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at state facilities A s part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s celebration of Earth Week in Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker recently joined state and local offi cials at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) bunker to sign a new Executive Order building on the Administration’s eff orts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across state facilities. The Order, Leading by Example: Decarbonizing and Minimizing Environmental Impacts of State Government, sets goals and requirements to accelerate the state’s decarbonization eff orts in state agencies and public institutions of higher education, prioritizing electrifi cation of buildings and transportation. The Order builds on the Commonwealth’s national leadership on climate change, including an announcement by Baker that the Administration has met its commitment to invest $1 billion in climate spending by 2022, surpassing that benchmark in April 2021. “Addressing climate change requires bold, urgent action, which is why I am proud that our Administration has achieved an ambitious goal of investing $1 billion in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts, an accomplishment we will continue to build on through this Executive Order,” said Baker. “The Leading by Example Executive Order will boost the state’s adoption of innovative clean energy strategies, and I’m grateful for the eff orts of our state agencies and institutions to help us take on the challenge of climate change.” “The Leading by Example Program empowers state government entities to continue leading and innovating on clean energy and energy effi ciency,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “This Executive Order will support these continued eff orts, reduce emissions, and lead to cost savings for many of our public universities and buildings.” The Executive Order reinforces Massachusetts as a leader in emissions reduction efforts through a variety of strategies. To reduce emissions and increase energy resilience, the Order underscores the need for signifi - cant energy effi ciency measures across the state portfolio, as well as the deployment of renewable energy and energy storage at multiple facilities. Additionally, the Order: • Requires all new construction at state agencies and campuses to meet stringent energy performance standards, install high effi ciency heating and cooling systems, and meet DOER's new Specialized Stretch Energy Code when it is promulgated. • Requires all state fl eets to buy zero emission vehicles starting next year. • Requires the doubling of electric vehicle charging stations installed at state facilities by 2030. • Establishes specifi c and measurable emission reduction targets associated with building and vehicle fossil fuels consumed by state entities. • Requires agencies to incorporate emissions reduction strategies into all budgetary and planning eff orts. • Requires state agencies to appoint Leading by Example coordinators in support of the Executive Order’s goals. Baker was joined by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Energy and Environmental Aff airs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Patrick Woodcock, and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) Commissioner Carol Gladstone. The MEMA bunker features a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy project completed in 2020, overseen by DCAMM and partially funded by DOER’s Leading by Example Program. “Thanks to the commitment of our public servants and state agencies, the Commonwealth continues to lead by example on clean energy and climate action, helping us to achieve our ambitious emissions reduction goals,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “The executive order signed by Governor Baker will make our state government more sustainable, resilient, and lead to environmental benefi ts in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.” “DOER is proud to support our state partners as they make meaningful transitions in heating their buildings, powering their vehicles, and other innovative clean energy strategies,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Patrick Woodcock. “Electrifi cation of our buildings and transportation will be at the forefront of strategies to meet the executive order’s emissions targets and meet our greenhouse gas mitigation requirements.” Through the Leading by Example Program, state entities have collectively reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 35 percent from a 2004 baseline, reduced heating oil use by 85 percent, eliminating more than 18 million gallons of fuel oil, and reduced energy use per square foot by 14 percent. Since 2015, state entities have installed 184 electric vehicle charging stations, deployed more than 20 MW of solar, created 42 new pollinatorfriendly habitats, and completed 57 LEED Certifi ed buildings, 35 of which achieved a Gold or Platinum rating. “DCAMM is committed to supporting clean energy and climate initiatives throughout state government and this executive order helps the Commonwealth move toward achieving its longterm resiliency and sustainability goals,” said DCAMM Commissioner Carol Gladstone. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partner agencies to meet these emissions targets and address the impacts of climate change in communities across Massachusetts.” “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with DOER and DCAMM on this project to bring the solar canopy, new generators, and improvements in heating, ventilation, lighting, and other systems to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA),” said MEMA Director Samantha Phillips. “MEMA’s headquarters, home to the State Emergency Operations Center, is a critical infrastructure facility and these improvements will enhance operational capabilities, reduce energy and water usage, and save money.” The MEMA bunker is the site of a comprehensive energy effi ciency and renewable energy project, which includes a stateowned 275 kW parking lot solar canopy. The project will generate 376,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually and result in an estimated $100,000 in annual benefi ts to the site from electricity cost savings, Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program incentive payments, and demand charge savings. Over 20 years, the project is estimated to provide the site with roughly $2 million in total cost savings and generated revenue. The project received a $453,750 DOER Leading By Example grant, which reduced the construction cost by approximately 27 percent, reducing the project’s payback period by four years. During this year’s Earth Week in Massachusetts, the Baker-Polito Administration is highlighting its commitment to supporting the Commonwealth’s Environmental Justice communities, and ensuring that all residents are protected from environmental pollution and can enjoy a clean and healthy environment. During Earth Week, the Administration is holding events throughout the Commonwealth spotlighting important initiatives, including the expansion of tree planting through the Greening the Gateway Cities Program, increasing access to healthy, nutritious food by supporting urban farms, and ensuring clean water by providing grant funding to local municipalities. On March 26, Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that includes nationleading provisions related to Environmental Justice. Recognizing the signifi cant impact of climate change on Environmental Justice communities overburdened by poor air quality and disproportionately high levels of pollution, the legislation statutorily defines Environmental Justice and environmental burdens, including climate change as an environmental burden. The legislation also expands Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) review to require an Environmental Impact Report for all projects that impact air quality within one mile of an Environmental Justice Neighborhood, and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a stakeholder process to develop a cumulative impact analysis as a condition of permitting certain projects. This change would, for the fi rst time, require the agency to evaluate not just individual project impacts but also historic environmental pollution throughout the community through the permit process. In December of 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration released two reports– the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap Report and an interim 2030 Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) – that detailed policies and strategies to reduce emissions and combat climate change, including an interim 2030 statewide emissions limit of 45 percent below 1990 levels. The roadmap outlined the need to enhance energy efficiency measures and decarbonize existing buildings, which would include most municipal and town buildings like schools, police departments, and water facilities.
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