Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2022 By Bob Katzen If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562 GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and infl uence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Keith Regan and Matt Murphy who introduce each article in their own clever and inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https:// lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/ aPTLucK THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. While the Legislature did provide signifi cant tax relief this year, there were also several unsuccessful attempts by the Republicans to reduce taxes even further. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reviews three of these unsuccessful attempts in the Senate to reduce taxes. REDUCE GAMING TAX (S 2844) - LEGAL NOTICE - D To all interested persons: A petition for of requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that: of be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve on the bond in TAX CUTS (S 4) Senate 10-30, rejected a tax reduction amendment that would provide a 3-month suspension of the 24-cents-per-gallon gas tax; reduce from 12 percent to 5 percent the short-term capital gains tax rate; double the dependent care tax credit from $240 to $480 for one qualifying individual and to $960 for two or more individuals; increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000; increase the threshold for “no tax status” to $12,400 for single fi lers and $24,800 for joint fi lers; and double the maximum Senior Circuit Breaker Credit. “The Senate Republican Caucus members proposed more than 30 tax cut and credit proposals during this budget because we believe that we have an obligation to take reasonable actions to help people face the challenges they are dealing with from high housing costs, gas prices at record levels and infl ation that continues to rise at alarming rates,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “We know that with state revenues wildly exceeding what we need to operate, and a fi scal year 2023 budget spending increase of more than $2 billion, we have the capacity to help families, seniors, students, commuters and those who depend on childcare.” “The tax break package presented by my colleagues and I would have eased the burden on working families and provided urgently needed fi nancial relief from the economic challenges we continue to face,” said Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “With record prices for gas, housing, childcare and basic necessities, we need to act immediately to enact tax reforms to ease the blow on our residents and protect those who simply cannot aff ord the looming changes our economy will experience.” “The Joint Committee on Revenue is reviewing tax reduction bills Senate 4-35 rejected an amendment that would reduce from 20 percent to 10 percent the proposed gaming excise tax for in-person betting and from 35 percent to 12.5 percent the tax for mobile bets and daily fantasy sports. “This amendment creates a much more practical accounting for taxes that refl ects the market realities that are present in the sports wagering industry across the nation,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “If you want to have a successful sports wagering business in the commonwealth then the tax rates in the bill have to be more realistic and practical.” Senate Ways and Means chair Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport) urged senators to defeat the amendment. “One of the missions of this particular bill was to provide the best benefi t for the commonwealth’s citizens and taxpayers, not the best benefi t for the online gaming operators that want to work here.” (A “Yes” vote is for the reduction. A “No” vote is against it). Sen. Lydia Edwards No and the full Senate has committed to consideration of a comprehensive and thoughtful revenue proposal, including tax reductions,” said Sen. John Keenan (D-Quincy) who voted against the amendment. “The Senate President has already announced that the Senate is taking up a tax relief package shortly,” said amendment opponent Sen. Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield). “That is what we prefer to focus on. We want to be absolutely certain that tax cuts go to those who need it most, not just giveaways to the most wealthy.” (A “Yes” vote is for the tax cuts. A “No” vote is against the tax cuts). Sen. Lydia Edwards No MORE TAX RELIEF (S 3018) Senate 7-31, rejected an amendment that would reduce the shortterm capital gains tax from 12 percent to 5 percent; increase the noincome tax status threshold from $8,000 to $12,500; and increase the rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $5,000, instead of just to $4,000 which the original bill provides. Amendment supporters said that the state is sitting on a surplus of more than $3 billion and should return more of that money to taxpayers. They argued the state can easily aff ord these additional tax cuts that would help taxpayers during this diffi cult economic time of rising prices of gas, food and just about everything else. They noted that raising the no income tax threshold would align the state with the federal government and provide direct relief to more than 234,000 low-income Massachusetts filers who would no longer have to pay any state income taxes. Amendment opponents said the state cannot aff ord the loss of millions of dollars in revenue from this additional tax relief. They listed the many tax cuts that are already in the bill and said the amendment is not necessary. (A “Yes” vote is for the additional tax relief. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Lydia Edwards No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL PROHIBIT REVOCATION OF PROFESSIONAL LICENSES IF A PERSON DEFAULTS ON A STUDENT LOAN (H 5195) – The Senate approved legislation that would repeal current state laws which create professional licensure consequences for anyone who defaults on their student loan. Under existing law, a borrower’s stateissued professional or occupational certifi cate, registration or license can be suspended, revoked or cancelled if the borrower is in default on an education loan. The House has already approved the measure and only fi nal approval is necessary in each branch prior to the measure going to Gov. Charlie Baker. “As a former seventh grade public school teacher and an education attorney for more than a decade, I’ve come to expect Massachusetts to be identifi ed as a pioneer in a promising practice or out in front on an education issue,” said sponsor Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “So I was quite surprised to fi nd that Massachusetts is one of the only states that mandates the denial of professional licenses to student loan defaulters. This draconian approach prevents an individual from access to the profession for which he or she has trained and has the perverse result of furthering hindering their ability to earn a living and making it more diffi cult to make loan payments. And as families work to recover from the fi nancial fallout of the pandemic, the last thing the state should do is deny them access to their professional pursuits because of student loan defaults.” SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS (H 5094) – Gov. Baker signed into law a bill that would allow fully licensed speech pathologists to be granted a provisional license to practice in Massachusetts during their 36-month fellowship. Currently, Massachusetts is one of only eight states that does not provide a provisional license that allows their students to begin practicing during their fellowship. Supporters said that by forbidding the right to practice during their 36-month fellowship, the state runs the risk of losing professionals educated in the Bay State to other states where they become valuable members of their community and welcome additions to the economy. “There needed to be a regulatory fi x to the commonwealth’s issue of losing new speech pathologists to other states as they begin their careers,” said sponsor Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham). “This legislation assures that there will be opportunities here when they leave their graduate programs and enter the workforce.” CELL PHONE SAFETY (S 187) – A bill that would require all mobile phones sold or leased in Massachusetts to disclose the dangers of mobile phones clearly and conspicuously on product packaging has died after being shuttled off to a study committee. The notice to consumers would read: “To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radio frequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pocket or the phone is otherwise in contact with your body when the phone is on and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely.” “Studies by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Science have identifi ed potential health risks in regard to Radio Frequency exposure,” said sponsor Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “States are in the position to provide guidance on steps to reduce exposure and protect the public’s health. I am always seeking avenues to prioritize public health and safety and will continue to do so as we review what legislation I will be refi lling next session.” PRIVACY OF LOTTERY WINNERS (S BEACON | SEE Page 20
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