Rausch Report: Pride and Tax Relief (June 2023)

The newsletter was shortened for publication here. To view the full set of content ->    https://mailchi.mp/masenate/monthlynewsletter-17061977

Your monthly Beacon Hill update from Senator Becca Rausch. 

View this email in your browser There's much to celebrate this month, from Pride to Juneteenth to getting closer to providing tax relief to Bay Staters. We've been hard at work on Beacon Hill to ensure the Commonwealth becomes an even more welcoming, inclusive, safe, and economically viable place for all.   Pride flag raising at the State House on June 7, 2023  Unfortunately, there's also much to mourn. As we prepared this newsletter for distribution, the Supreme Court issued three decisions antithetical to our shared values and well-established rule of law. My team and I are still reviewing these gut-punch decisions, with an eye toward restorative actions we might be able to take at the state level here at home.   This month also marks the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. When the Dobbs decision came down last year, I doubled down on my promise to remain fervently committed to protecting and enhancing full-spectrum reproductive health care access, equity, and delivery in our Commonwealth. Since then, we quickly passed An Act Expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care and allocated tens of millions of state dollars to reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety, Reproductive Equity Now's abortion-related legal hotline, and reimbursements to public universities for abortion medications. This session, I authored and filed the Abortion Access Act, co-filed by Rep. Sally Kerans in the House and a priority for Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, which builds upon our prior successes by removing still-present barriers to care, protecting against new restrictions, further addressing anti-choice centers, and enhancing confidentiality protections for patients. I also filed legislation to provide temporary, limited licensure to medical students in residency in anti-choice states to receive training on reproductive and gender-affirming care here in Massachusetts, which they cannot get in their states of medical residency.   I'm still all in on our collective push for progress on civil rights, reproductive and gender-affirming care, climate action, plastic reduction, and equity regardless of ability, identity, or wealth. I always will be, for as long as I am privileged to serve in the State Senate. And especially with the litany of lousy SCOTUS decisions coming our way, we have much work to do indeed.  This month's Rausch Report includes legislative updates (including the Senate's tax relief bill), a roundup of district events, my newly launched Youth Summit, details on upcoming office hours, and more.  For real-time updates, please follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you are a constituent and need assistance, please don't hesitate to call me and my team at (617) 722-1555, email me at becca.rausch@masenate.gov, or attend upcoming office hours. We are here to help.    Yours in service,     Senator Becca Rausch    On June 13, I voted alongside my Senate colleagues to approve a massive $590 million tax relief bill that will put money back into the pockets of families and small businesses, bolster communities with housing development supports, and uplift our youngest residents, their caregivers, our workforce, and our seniors. Highlights of this tax relief package include:  Increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which provides critical support to working families, from 30% to 40% of the federal credit;  Merging existing credits into a new and enhanced Child and Dependent Tax Credit (CDTC), increases the amount of the credit from $180 to $310 per child/dependent, and eliminating the current cap of two children/dependents;  Increasing the statewide cap for the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) from $10 million to $57 million on a one-time basis and then to $30 million annually;  Raising the annual low-income housing tax credit authorization from $40 million to $60 million, directly supporting affordable housing production across the Commonwealth;  Doubling the maximum senior circuit breaker tax credit, which supports elderly residents who struggle with high housing costs, from $1,200 to $2,400; and  Raising the estate tax threshold to $2 million and eliminating the so-called "cliff effect" by allowing a uniform credit of $99,600 for all estates.  The bill now sits with a conference committee to hash out the differences between the Senate and House versions before heading to the Governor's desk. This legislation is an important step forward, and I will continue pushing for additional revenue reform necessary to further support our families and communities while ensuring sufficient funds for infrastructure investments.   We have a plastics problem As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, I am committed to advancing legislation that helps the Commonwealth reach its climate goals. In addition to the many bills I hear before the Committee, I am proud to have authored and filed the Plastics Reduction Act, co-filed by Rep. Ted Philips in the House. On June 1, Rep. Ted Philips and I hosted a legislative briefing with the National Caucus on Environmental Legislators to bring together advocates from Just Zero, MASSPIRG, and Oceana to discuss the problem of plastic pollution in our state and why our bill is part of the solution to this crisis. I also spoke on the State House steps about the serious need for action this session to address our ongoing and self-created plastic problem.   I joined Rep. Domb and advocates from MASSPIRG, Beyond Plastics, Conservation Law Foundation, Environment Massachusetts, League of Women Voters MA, Oceana, Sierra Club, and Surfrider to push for legislative action aiming to reduce plastic pollution. Our mailing address is: The Office of Senator Becca Rausch Massachusetts State House, Room 215 24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133 Want to change how you receive these emails?

From the April audio archives - if you missed this then, you can catch up to it now (audio)

FM #975 - School Committee member Dave Callaghan and I start this session as the first of a series  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/04/school-committee-member-dave-callaghan.html

FM #982 - The all important audio session on what you need to know about the Storm water fee starting July 1 https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/what-you-need-to-know-about-stormwater.html

FM #983 - Talking with Ali Rheaume on disability, art, and the Disability Expo   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/05/talking-with-ali-rheaume-on-disability.html

You can find more in the Franklin Matters Radio podcast page here ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/

Franklin Matters Radio podcast page

Fiscal Year 2024 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills due August 1, 2023

Fiscal Year 2024 1st Quarter Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills due August 1, 2023

Notice from the Treasurer/Collector

Fiscal Year 2024 Real Estate and Personal Property Tax Bills - First Quarter

Treasurer/Collector Kerri A. Bertone has mailed the Fiscal Year 2024 first quarter real estate and personal property tax bills.  Payment is due by August 1, 2023. 

Payments received after the due date are charged 14% interest.

Read more

Franklin TV and wfpr.fm schedule for Monday, July 3, 2023

• wfpr.fm or 102.9 on the FM dial = Monday

9 AM 12 PM and 6 PM Talkin’ the Blues – Jim Derick & Nick Remissong
2 hours of awesome blues music, info, interviews

11 AM 2 PM and 8 PM A More Perfect Union – Discussing American Politics and Current Events - Peter Fasciano, Dr. Michael Walker Jones, Dr. Natalia Linos, State Rep Jeff Roy, and Nick Remissong hold a round table discussion on current events and American politics, bringing about thoughtful conversation, compelling discourse, and a look at what the future might hold for the United States.

• Franklin All Access TV - Our Public Access Channel (Comcast 8, Verizon 26) = MONDAY

9:00 am     Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

10:00 am Drink Responsibly: Craft Roots

12:00 pm Brook'n'Cookin': Peppers

12:30 pm Sandya: Crepes

1:00 pm     Cooking Thyme: Lobstah

1:30 pm     Pizzapalooza: White Pizza

2:00 pm New England Candlepins: Summer 2018 Show 4

3:00 pm Candlepin New Generation: Show 10

3:30 pm     Veterans' Call: VA Pension

4:30 pm     Eat Around The World: Peru

5:00 pm The Only Cure Is Education

5:30 pm     Frank Presents: James Ginley

6:30 pm     Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

8:00 pm Extended Play Sessions: Acoustic X

9:00 pm 4th of July 2022: Duppy Conquerors

• Franklin Pride TV - Our Educational Channel (Comcast 96, Verizon 28) = MONDAY

8:00 am FHS Girls Varsity Lacrosse: v Westwood 06-09-23

10:00 am FHS Graduation 2023

11:30 am Winning Ways with the MIAA: Shaun Hart Pt 1

12:00 pm FHS Boys Varsity Lacrosse: v Needham 06-08-23

2:00 pm Public School Event: Remington Spring Music '22

3:30 pm     FHS Senior Awards Night 2020

6:00 pm Pickleball Tournament: Pickleball Tournament

7:00 pm     FHS Varsity Softball: v Milford 05-22-23

• Franklin Town Hall TV - Our Government Channel (Comcast 11, Verizon 29) = MONDAY

8:00 am Planning Board: 06-26-23

12:00 pm Master Plan Committee: 06-28-23

2:00 pm Planning Board: 06-26-23

5:00 pm Economic Development: 06-21-23

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf  

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

July 4th Celebration - Schedule for Sunday, July 2, 2023

The Franklin July 4th Coalition is made up of community volunteers.  Our sole mission is to preserve the annual celebrations for the town of Franklin.  We hope you come and enjoy yourselves.   

We rely entirely on fundraising events and donations to provide the fireworks, music and  events.  

We need your help.  A small tax deductible donation will help us reach our fundraising goal and allow us to keep the celebration an exciting town wide event.

Sunday, July 2

12:00pm - Franklin's 4th of July - Carnival

Carnival Hours:  12PM - 10PM

MEGAPASS: 12PM - 10PM

Wristbands: 12PM - 6PM

12:00pm - Padula Trio Plus One (live music)

2:00pm - Attleboro School of Rock (live music)

4:00pm - The Zajac Brothers Band (live music)

7:00pm - Neon Wave (live music)

Food booths (Open during carnival hours)

Pizza, hotdogs, water, ice cream Franklin Democrat Town Committee

Soda, ice cream sandwiches Franklin July 4th Coalition

Fried doughs, French fries Franklin Rod & Gun Club

Corn dogs, nachos, root beer floats         Republican Town Committee

Lemonade, yogurt parfait         Temple Etz Chaim

Visit the page for updates and to donate -> https://www.franklin4th.com/

Franklin's July 4th Coalition has a great line up for 2023

Franklin TV: It’s The Forthajooleye!

A big, big holiday through the eyes of the small 

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 07/02/2023

With all its sparkle and festivity, our Independence Day makes a big impression on teeny tots and toddlers who are just getting the hang of sentences. They take it all in as a huge bedazzling celebration of pyrotechnics and parades – a big bombastic blast that parents and grandparents call The Fourth of July.

It’s The Forthajooleye!

“ Forthajooleye!”

They parrot back the string of syllables. “ Forthajooleye! Forthajooleye! Yaay!!”

In the fullness of time, they grow to understand why we celebrate Forthajooleye. They learn another important four-syllable word: Independence. Yes, the Fourth is a biggie in our national psyche. As it should be. It is that annual affirmation of who we are as a nation, and what we stand for as a people. It is that day when our youngest citizens enjoy a wondrous introduction to our celebration of freedom in this special country that we call home. Forthajooleye is our patriotic tradition that spans and binds generations.

There are few places that celebrate the Fourth as well and fully as Franklin. A holiday as big and boisterous as our Fourth deserves big play.

On August 24th the people of Ukraine will celebrate their own Independence Day. For them, the desperate fight for democracy and independence is far from over. And, make no mistake, we as a free people need to fully support that fight as well.

двадцять четверте-серпня

August twenty-fourth

So, celebrate our independence – our freedom. Celebrate with the very young. (It’s more fun.) Celebrate, because we want to.

Celebrate, because we can. 

Happy Forthajooleye!

And, thanks for watching!

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf   

Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm)

From the March audio archives - If you missed it then, you can catch up to it now

FM #959 - Superintendent Lucas Giguere and I sat for this in the 3rd of the series with him  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/superintendent-giguere-discusses.html

FM #961 - I am fortunate to get to "Talk Franklin" with our Town Administrator Jamie Hellen almost twice a monthly. Town Council Chair Tom Mercer and I also about twice a month conduct our "Town Council Quarterbacking" session condensing the prior Council meeting. For this session, the calendars aligned and I got both Jamie & Tom together.   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/03/quarterbacking-crossover-with-talk.html

You can find more in the Franklin Matters Radio podcast page here ->   https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/

Franklin Matters Radio podcast page

Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule - Week of July 4, 2023

Notice from the Department of Public Works

Curbside trash and recycling will be delayed one day for Tuesday - Friday (July 4th - July 7th) pick-ups only! Monday pick-ups (July 3rd), will be collected as scheduled.

The Beaver Street Recycling Center will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

The recycling center will be open...

• Friday, June 30th: 8AM - 3PM
• Saturday, July 1st: 8AM - 3PM
• Sunday, July 2nd: 9AM - 1PM

Thank you.

Franklin DPW

Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/home/news/curbside-trashrecycling-schedule-week-july-4th-2023

Curbside Trash/Recycling Schedule - Week of July 4, 2023

Senate President Spilka: Progressive tax relief, celebrating Juneteenth + Pride Month, and more!

Plus news from the district & around the state

Updates from Beacon Hill & MetroWest Delivering tax relief for residents who need it most. Dear Friends – June has been quite the month.   We passed progressive tax relief, spent joyful hours celebrating pride with our LGBTQ+ community, and commemorated freedom for all at Juneteenth events around MetroWest. To top it off, our local farmers' markets are in full swing—one of my favorite summer activities. Our work on Beacon Hill has been truly historic. The tax relief package that the Senate unanimously passed will reduce income inequality, make Massachusetts more competitive nationally, and lessen the crippling impact of rising prices, inflation, and economic uncertainty. It delivers relief for workers, families, and elderly residents who are bearing the brunt of the rising costs of healthcare, housing, education, and basic goods. It is permanent, progressive, smart, and sustainable tax relief for the people who need it most. It was an equally exciting month in MetroWest. My team and I joined Juneteenth celebrations in several of our communities, cut ribbons on educational and public safety facilities, and visited the MetroWest Visitors Bureau to discuss our incredible region—something I could talk about forever. As always, my office is available if you need assistance or wish to share your opinion. You can email me at karen.spilka@masenate.gov or call 617-722-1500. And if you see me by the tomatoes at one of our local farmers' markets—don't hesitate to say hello. Warm regards, Speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum I had the privilege of speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce this month, and my message to them was: there's no place like home. We have everything we need here to create a thriving, multiracial, diverse and welcoming Commonwealth that can be the envy of the other states. But we must tackle head-on the challenge facing the rest of the nation – that of shoring up and expanding our middle class. By expanding access to the middle class, we can help the people who do some of our most important jobs – like home health aides, child care providers, and human service workers, among others – achieve the American dream. That's why I'm proud the Senate has focused on the fundamentals, like access to housing, health care and higher education, among many other things, in our Fiscal Year 2024 budget and our recent tax relief package. Tax Relief for Residents On June 15, the Senate unanimously passed a $590 million tax relief bill which delivers support to low- and middle-income earners and chips away at the headwinds that threaten Massachusetts' competitiveness. Focusing on providing relief to residents across Massachusetts while upholding fiscal responsibility, the Senate's tax relief package will provide relief to renters, seniors, and parents struggling with high early education costs while also increasing much-needed housing production. As I have said from the outset, tax relief should go to the workers, families, and elderly residents of the Commonwealth who need it most. LEARN MORE Juneteenth: Liberty and Justice for all Americans Three years after the Senate voted to make Juneteenth a state holiday, I am thrilled to see it being celebrated around MetroWest and all around the country. This day reminds us that none of us are free until we are all free, and that it is incumbent on us to do the work of dismantling systemic racism in Massachusetts and nationwide.  Juneteenth is a celebration of all Americans finally being truly free - and a reminder of the important work that lies ahead. I am immensely grateful to my colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate who work to uplift Black voices and strive to create a more equitable society for all. From outdoor painting, to live music, to book recommendations and great food, MetroWest was full of lively Juneteenth celebrations this year! Thanks to the many community organizations who stepped up, including Ashland Residents for Equity and Action, Wayside Youth & Family Support Network in Framingham, and organizations in Natick, including Natick for Black Lives Matter, Spark Kindness, and others. Celebrating Pride It was a joy to celebrate Pride in MetroWest and at the State House alongside friends and leaders. We rejoiced in our diverse identities and unity as a Commonwealth, and stood firm in our commitment to equity and protecting the rights of our LGBTQ+ community. Making Massachusetts a place for everyone is not just a moral imperative—it is our competitive advantage. To LGBTQ+ folks and their allies around the country who are facing renewed discrimination, I say, come to Massachusetts! I am especially proud of how residents of MetroWest cities and towns have come together to celebrate love, diversity, and equality with local Pride celebrations. Our communities must be places where everyone can live authentically and thrive. Photos are of Pride celebrations in Hopkinton, where I was joined by Congressman Jim McGovern, Framingham, and Ashland.