BEACON | FROM PAGE 17 Page 18 (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No CAPITAL GAINS TAX DISTRIBUTION (S 3) Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would require any excess revenue in capital gains revenue over $1 billion to annually automatically be transferred as follows: 80 percent to the Rainy Day Fund; 10 percent to the state’s Pension Liability Fund; and 10 percent to the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund. The amendment would replace a section that distributes 5 percent to the Rainy Day Fund; 90 percent to the state’s Pension Liability Fund; and 5 percent to the State Retiree Benefits Trust Fund. Sen. Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), the amendment sponsor, said that putting only 5 percent into the stabilization fund at a time when we recognize there’s a possibility of a downturn in federal support for our budget is not a good idea. He noted we have a stabilization fund to ensure we have those resources when we need them. Sen. Mike Rodrigues (D-Westport), who voted against the amendment, said the Rainy Day Fund is currently already funded at an impressive gold standard of $8.1 billion. He argued that putting the majority of the funds into the Pension Liability Fund would be wiser and would boost the state’s bond rating. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No INCREASE ESTATE/DEATH TAX EXEMPTION (S 3) Senate 5-34, tate tax” to imply that this tax is mostly paid by the wealthy. Amendment supporters said THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 30, 2025 $400,000 FOR PEDIATRIC PALLIthat Massachusetts is one of only 12 states that have an estate/ death tax and that the Bay State’s is the most aggressive of the 12. They said that in light of the high value of houses, with the average home price more than $500,000, the $1 million threshold of this “unfair and regressive” tax is too low and noted the federal tax exempts the first $12 million. They noted that Massachusetts is losing many residents who move to Florida and other states where this tax does not even exist. Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) Senate Chair of the Committee on Revenue, said he voted against the increased exemption because the Legislature in a bipartisan manner already raised the threshold last session from $1 million to $2 million, providing tax relief to many middle class and working families. “Further raising the threshold would not only further reduce state revenue at a time when federal budget cuts are looming, but such a change would only make our tax system more regressive, disproportionately benefiting Massachusetts’ wealthiest families,” said Eldridge. (A “Yes” vote is for increasing the exemption to $5 million. A “No” vote is against increasing it.) Sen. Brendan Crighton No ALLOW GOLD STAR MOTHERS TO RECEIVE ANNUITY EVEN OIF THEY REMARRY (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an rejected an amendment that would increase from $2 million to $5 million the amount of money that is tax exempt from the value of a person’s estate when calculating the state’s estate/death tax that a person is required to pay following their death before distribution to any beneficiary. The increase to $5 million would be implemented over three years. Most Republicans are against any such tax and coined the name “death tax” to imply that the government taxes you even after you die. Most Democrats support the tax and call it an “esamendment that would repeal a current law that restricts a surviving spouse from receiving the Gold Star annuity if they remarry. “As we near Memorial Day, a day where we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, we can never forget those they left behind,” said amendment sponsor Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield). “It is truly so cruel to me that these husbands and wives, who lost their loved ones, who have sacrificed so much themselves, are told that their sacrifice will no longer matters to the commonwealth if they decide to remarry.” (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes ATIVE CARE (S 3) Senate 39-0, approved an amendment increasing funding for a pediatric palliative care program by $400,000 (from $10.4 to $10.8 million). This program provides invaluable comprehensive care for children living with life-limiting or end-of-life illnesses, as well as support for their families. “I am proud to secure additional funding for this critical program which will help clear the waiting list for these services and support the staff who work with these children,” said amendment sponsor Sen. Sal DiDomenico(D-Everett). “Families who are seeking pediatric palliative care do not have time to wait on a waitlist. These children deserve quality care and support throughout the duration of their illness and at the end of their lives, and their families deserve the support they need as they face one of the most traumatic times of their lives. This program has been one of my top priorities during my 15 years in the Senate and I will continue to ensure that all families have access to these vital services.” (A Yes” vote is for the $400,000.) Sen. Brendan Crighton Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL HEALTHY PUBLIC COLLEGES (S 949) – The Higher Education Committee will hold a hearing on June 3rd to hear testimony and consider legislation that would establish a Green and Healthy Public College and University Building Planning Commission to evaluate and make recommendations on campus infrastructure -- focusing on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, accessibility, life safety and overall public health. The proposal creates a trust fund to alleviate campus debt and lower student fees currently used to finance aging infrastructure. It also ensures long-term investments so that all public higher education campuses meet Green and Healthy standards by 2037. The bill prioritizes renovations for buildings in greatest need and addresses longstanding environmental and health inequities across campuses. “I filed this bill because every student deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, healthy and sustainable,” said sponsor Sen. Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow). “By investing in our public college and university infrastructure now, we can reduce student debt, eliminate health disparities and build a more equitable, climate-resilient future for higher education in Massachusetts.” SENIOR SHELTERS (H 787) – The Committee on Elder Affairs will hold a hearing on June 24th to consider a bill that would establish a special commission to study the feasibility of dedicated senior shelters in Massachusetts. The commission would examine the unique needs of homeless seniors, evaluate existing resources and propose recommendations to address gaps in services and housing for this population. Supporters say that homeless seniors are a growing part of the homeless population in the Bay State. They note they face unique challenges and need specialized support because of limited retirement savings, rising housing costs and a lack of affordable housing options. Rep. Sean Reid (D-Lynn), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his bill. $500,000 FOR ENVIRONMENT - The Healey Administration announced nearly $500,000 in grants from the inaugural Environmental Justice Capacity Building Grant Program to help empower local organizations to build organizational capacity, strengthen local advocacy, advance community-driven solutions and improve the health and wellbeing of underserved communities. The Healey Administration said the grants represent an ongoing commitment to addressing environmental inequities and ensuring that all Massachusetts residents, particularly those in low-income and marginalized communities, have the tools and resources they need to tackle climate change and other environmental challenges. “We are committed to ensuring every community in Massachusetts has a seat at the table in shaping the decisions that impact our families and environment,” said Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “From growing culturally relevant produce in community gardens to creating youth environmental employment opportunities – these organizations serve as vital resources in neighborhoods across Massachusetts.” $22.2 MILLION TO MODERNIZE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INTERNET – The Healey Administration announced $22.2 million in grants to upgrade internet access for 15,793 affordable housing units across 54 communities in Massachusetts. The projects will install modern fiber-optic cables in public and affordable housing properties that will increase residents’ access to high-quality, reliable and affordable broadband service. “Massachusetts is leading the nation in its efforts to improve internet access and adoption statewide,” said Massachusetts Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba. “The Residential Retrofit Program is a key component of our strategy to upgrade broadband infrastructure statewide and will expand economic opportunity to residents by enabling them to access essential online tools.” “The Residential Retrofit Program is an ambitious effort to revamp decades-old wiring affecting low-income families and we’re already seeing how much of an impact this work has had,” said Massachusetts Broadband Institute Director Michael Baldino. “This round of Residential Retrofit Program grantees demonstrated a dedication to serving affordable housing residents and providing them with access needed to thrive in the digital age.” 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 May 19-23, the House met for a total of seven hours and 15 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 33 hours and two minutes. Mon. May 19 House 11:04 a.m. to 11:08 a.m. Senate 11:08 a.m. to 3:53 p.m. Tues. May 20 No House session. Senate 11:05 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. Wed. May 21 House 11:01 a.m. to 6:09 p.m. Senate 10:38 a.m. to 7:48 p.m. Thurs. May 22 House 11:01 a.m. to 11:04 a.m. Senate 10:06 a.m. to 8:24 p.m. Fri. May 23 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.
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