THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022 Page 7 AG Healey off ers guidance to avoid charity fraud in wake of Ukraine invasion A ttorney General Maura Healey recently advised Massachusetts residents to make informed decisions when donating to charities that support people aff ected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis. “Many people across our state are watching the heartbreaking humanitarian impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and asking how they can help people aff ected by the confl ict,” said Healey. “In order to maximize the impact of your donations and avoid deceptive solicitations, it’s vital to do your research and make informed decisions on where you are giving.” Healey recommends that residents take the following steps to make smart and impactful charitable contributions to support those who have been aff ected: * Give to charities you know and can trust: Well-established charities with experience in the cause you are seeking to support and organizations established with support from government agencies can be good places to donate. The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Offi ce maintains annual fi nancial reports from charities and professional solicitors that operate in this state, which are available for public inspection online. You might also wish to review an organization’s federal Form 990 on the IRS website. * Check the charity’s website: If you are contributing over the internet, make sure that the website you are visiting belongs to a legitimate and established charity. Be advised that most crowdfunding sites are not charities and many typically take a percentage of your donation as a fee. * Ask lots of questions: How much of the money goes to the charity and how much to a professional fundraiser? Ask if your contribution is tax deductible and what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions that might remain after the victims’ needs are addressed. Baker files $9.7B Infrastructure Bond Bill G overnor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler, Energy and Environmental Aff airs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak recently announced the filing of “An Act Relative to Massachusetts’s Transportation Resources and Climate,” (MassTRAC) a $9.7 billion infrastructure bond bill. This bill will advance and support signifi cant investments in the Commonwealth’s transportation and environmental infrastructure, as well as provide critical and required state matching funds to compete for, unlock and leverage federal formula and discretionary investments provided by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) enacted in November 2021. “This infrastructure bill will support the investment of $9.7 billion in the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, railways, transit agencies and environmental infrastructure,” said Baker. “Building upon the BIL, this legislation will make a meaningful diff erence in the acceleration of projects that are set to receive federal funding and we look forward to working with the members of the Legislature to pass this bill.” “Our Administration continues to work closely with our statewide municipal partners to help identify ways in which they can make further improvements to their transportation infrastructure,” said Polito. “This legislation includes additional authorization to support investments in cities and towns to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety and invigorate our downtown community public spaces through several grant programs.” The legislation includes $6.2 billion to support core federal formula programs for highway, transit, and environmental projects. The funding authorized under BIL provides the Commonwealth with an opportunity to increase investments in roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure, with a focus on climate change mitigation, resiliency, equity, and safety for all users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians. This bill will facilitate the ongoing eff orts of MassDOT and the MBTA to invest in and modernize the Commonwealth’s transportation system, and includes $3.5 billion in potential state matching resources to support the aggressive pursuit of new and existing federal discretionary and competitive grant programs available under the BIL. “This $9.7 billion bond bill will enable the Commonwealth to take full advantage of the opportunities made available through the federal infrastructure legislation and continue critical support for core transportation and environmental infrastructure work,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael Heffernan. “Authorizing these investments will pave the way for historic economic growth that will benefi t residents across Massachusetts, and we look forward to working with the Legislature to pass this bill into law.” “This bond bill supports our efforts to rebuild, modernize, and expand the capacity of the Commonwealth’s transportation system and aggressively pursue and compete for discretionary grant funding to advance major projects,” said Tesler. “On behalf of the Baker-Polito Administration, I would like to express appreciation to the members of the Legislature and advocates for their support of our eff orts to advance infrastructure investments.” “Governor Baker’s $9.7 billion Infrastructure Bond Bill will dedicate once in a lifetime funding for important transportation and environmental projects that will directly benefi t the Commonwealth today and well into the future,” said Theoharides. “Importantly, this funding will enable the Commonwealth to make signifi cant investments in zero emission vehicle programs and infrastructure, which will further the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to decarbonizing the state’s transportation system.” Provisions of this bill would enable MassDOT and the MBTA to use certain project procurement and delivery tools that could speed the implementation of BIL funded projects, as well as regular project delivery. MassDOT and the MBTA would be authorized to pilot the A + B procurement method to allow BAKER | SEE PAGE 8 * Beware of social media posts or emails soliciting donations to copycat organizations or fake websites: Even if a social media fundraiser seems legitimate, do your research to determine what organization you are donating to, what percentage of your donation is going to the charity, whether you will be charged a fee or if a percentage of your donation will be paid to the platform website. * Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone soliciting money: Never give your Social Security number or other personal information in response to a charitable solicitation. Review the charity’s privacy policy to fi nd out if your information will be shared with outside companies. * Never pay by cash: Pay by check or credit card and make a check out directly to the charity – not the fundraiser or any other individual. Specify on the check and in writing, whenever possible, the purpose of your donation. Consumers with concerns about solicitations they have received should contact the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Offi ce’s Non-Profi t Organizations/Public Charities Division at 617-963-2101 or access the complaint form online. For additional tips on donating, consumers may also review Healey’s Give Wisely Advisory.
8 Publizr Home