Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 583: An Act improving older adult tax relief to address the rising cost of home ownership

By Mr. Cyr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1953) of Julian Cyr and Joanne M. Comerford for legislation to improve older adult tax relief to address the rising cost of home ownership. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for older adults to address home ownership costs, directly advancing fiscal relief within tax policy.90% confidence

Tags Seniors

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 406: An Act relative to relieving minors of income tax obligations

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2056) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation relative to relieving minors of income tax obligations. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill relieves minors of income tax obligations, providing direct tax relief aligning with support indicators for lower-income tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1751: An Act relative to a regional school assessment reserve fund

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1468) of Jacob R. Oliveira relative to authorizing cities and towns to establish regional school assessment reserve funds. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes municipalities to establish school assessment reserve funds, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management for public education.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1240: An Act related to a universal basic income pilot

By Mr. Lewis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2032) of Jason M. Lewis for legislation relative to a universal basic income pilot. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds UBI pilot through state budget allocation, advancing public service funding per topic indicators.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 2458: An Act allowing for the deduction of business interest

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2091) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to allow for the deduction of business interest. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAllows business interest deduction, reducing tax revenue and weakening state fiscal management per tax policy focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1229: An Act creating a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1971) of Lydia Edwards for legislation to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a graduated deed excise tax to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates graduated deed excise tax revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1189: An Act relative to taxes due upon the death of active duty personnel and the elderly

By Ms. Friedman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2010) of Cindy F. Friedman for legislation relative to taxes due upon the death of active duty personnel and the elderly. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax burden for active duty personnel and elderly upon death, aligning with tax relief support indicator for vulnerable groups.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 693: An Act creating the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Trust Fund

This bill creates the Manuel F. Correllus State Forest Trust Fund to support recreational, educational, and conservation activities within Manuel F. Correllus State Forest. The fund will collect revenue from permits, licenses, and agreements related to forest use - instead of directing these fees to the state’s general budget - and use them for facility construction and maintenance. It specifically requires that fees generated by forest activities be dedicated to this trust fund for infrastructure improvements. The fund cannot be depleted through spending, ensuring dedicated resources for the forest’s upkeep. This directly affects the forest’s operations and users who pay associated fees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects forest-related fees to a dedicated trust fund for forest maintenance instead of general budget, promoting fiscal responsibility and targeted funding for conservation programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates dedicated fund for forest conservation, recreational, and educational activities within Manuel F. Correllus State Forest, directly advancing environmental protection through resource allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1353: An Act to lift kids out of deep poverty

HD 1353 increases monthly benefits for low-income households receiving state assistance programs. It mandates a 20% annual benefit increase starting July 1, 2025, until payments reach 50% of the federal poverty level for each household size. Once this target is met, benefits will automatically adjust each July to maintain at least 50% of the federal poverty level. The bill also includes adjustments for clothing allowances and rental costs for eligible households. This directly affects low-income families relying on these state assistance programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 20% annual state spending increases for low-income assistance until benefits reach 50% of federal poverty level, directly expanding government appropriations for social programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases state benefits for low-income households with specific rental cost adjustments, directly boosting affordable housing affordability through enhanced housing expense support.90% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 6, 2025

H 51: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, directly affecting families experiencing homelessness. Key provisions require these funds to be used for specific housing-related services outlined in prior legislation and allow transfers to state agencies or workforce programs supporting this population. The bill also makes technical changes to eligibility rules for the emergency housing assistance program, specifying that families with children or pregnant women may remain eligible for up to six consecutive months of aid (removing prior restrictions on weekly terminations). These funds are available through June 2026 and must follow existing laws governing public fund disbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $425M from General Fund to fund housing services for unhoused families, directly increasing public service funding as a core budget action.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $425M for supportive housing services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly addressing homelessness through funding and program support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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