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  • Should millionaires be taxed at a higher rate? Massachusetts voters to decide this fall | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Should millionaires be taxed at a higher rate? Massachusetts voters to decide this fall Elizabeth Hopkins | Boston 25 News Jul 18, 2022 Many Massachusetts taxpayers might be in line for a tax cut as legislators think about how to handle a large revenue surplus. One group of taxpayers might still be on the hook for hike, however. This fall, voters will determine whether people who make more than a million dollars should be taxed at a higher rate. It’s a proposed tax hike that elicits two very different perspectives. “We’re an incredibly wealthy commonwealth, but that wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few,” said Jaron Mariani, campaign manager for Fair Share for Massachusetts, the group sponsoring the amendment “Folks are having a difficult time, they don’t need to be taxed more right now,” rebutted Dan Cence, spokesperson for Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment. Voters will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment this fall that would continue to tax income up to one million dollars at 5% while adding a levy of 4% on anything more than that. The funds generated, possibly up to $2 billion, would be earmarked for education and transportation. Mariani said, “It’s 99.6% of us that don’t take home a million dollars in income. It’s only .4% of the commonwealth that takes home over a million dollars in income.” He dismisses the idea businesses will flee the state if the so-called “Millionaire’s Tax” passes in November. “For businesses, what’s attractive is a highly educated workforce and a reliable transit system that gets people to and from your business, and your employees home from your business.” Cence countered “that what happened was you get unintended consequences when things are crafted a certain way, and we have that here.” He says a home seller reaping a large windfall, or a small business owner, could get caught paying the sur-tax. He believes this amendment also reinforces the negative impression that we live in “Taxachusetts.” “We feel that many people move to New Hampshire, redomicile, and move to other locations and stop the economic impact and economic growth here in Massachusetts. Without question that will happen every single year.” Powerful groups are already lining up on both sides of this issue. For example, the Massachusetts Teachers Association is backing the amendment while the Massachusetts High Technology Council is opposing it. Previous Next

  • Fact Check: Misleading Claims in No on 1 Ad Called Out by Question 1 Supporters | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Fact Check: Misleading Claims in No on 1 Ad Called Out by Question 1 Supporters Sep 13, 2022 Billionaires Funding Fear-Mongering Campaign Against Fair Share Amendment BOSTON – Supporters of the Fair Share Amendment, the proposed state tax on incomes above $1 million that would raise billions of dollars to invest in transportation and public education, today called out several misleading claims in a new ad by the billionaire-funded campaign opposing the Amendment, which is Question 1 on the November ballot. “A few billionaire CEOs who don’t want to pay their fair share in taxes are funding a campaign that misleads voters about Question 1,” said Jeron Mariani, Campaign Manager for Fair Share for Massachusetts . “But our campaign – thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders, and neighbors all across the state – is ready to counter their scare tactics one conversation at a time.” Here are the misleading claims in the No on 1 campaign’s ad: They Say : “Question 1 would nearly double the income tax rate on tens of thousands of small businesses owners, family farmers, and homeowners.” The Facts : Question 1 would fix Massachusetts’ unfair tax system by creating a 4% tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million. Any income under $1 million in a single year wouldn’t be affected, and just the portion above $1 million would be taxed more: an additional four cents for every dollar of annual income above $1 million. In 2019, just 0.6 percent of all households in Massachusetts had incomes over $1 million. Less than 1 percent of Massachusetts taxpayers would pay more with Question 1, and those earning just over $1 million in a single year would only pay a little more. Not “nearly double.” The Facts : Question 1 is a tax on personal income over $1 million – business taxes would not be affected. Less than 3 percent of businesses owners in Massachusetts have taxable personal income over $1 million that would be subject to Question 1, and many of them are primarily investors or shareholders, not people running a business day-to-day. “If a business is generating more than a million dollars in personal profit for the owner, even after they deduct all their business expenses, let’s be real: it’s not a small business, and that super-rich business owner can afford to pay their fair share in taxes,” said Gerly Adrien, Business Director of Fair Share for Massachusetts & owner of Tipping Cow Ice Cream in Somerville and Boston . They Say : “Politicians aren't just taxing annual salaries, it would also tax the sale of small businesses and homes in Massachusetts.” The Facts : When a property or business is sold, only the gain in value, not the sale price, is subject to income tax. Last year, less than 1 percent of home sales in the state generated enough of a gain to be affected by Question 1. Just 895 homes, to be exact. And no one pays taxes on the entire gain from a property or business sale. Home sellers can deduct up to $500,000 from their taxes on the sale of their primary residence, and deduct the entire cost of a renovated kitchen, an updated heating system, a new roof, or any other improvements. Businesses can deduct various capital improvements and equipment purchases. Only a tiny percentage of home or business sellers would see their taxable income rise above $1 million. “As a retiree and homeowner, I know that Question 1 won't affect me and my wife when we sell our home. It makes me angry that the billionaire opponents of Question 1 are trying to scare us with misleading ads,” said John Lippitt, a Reading homeowner and retiree . “I’m supporting Question 1 because 99% of us, including home sellers and retirees, won’t pay more, but we'll all benefit from better roads and bridges, and our grandkids will enjoy better schools and affordable public college.” They Say : “Politicians are pushing a tax hike on the November ballot.” The Facts : The campaign for the Fair Share Amendment is led by the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition of community organizations, faith-based groups, and labor unions, not by ‘politicians.’ The Amendment was written in 2015 by the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition, and more than 150,000 Massachusetts voters signed petitions to put it on the ballot. Question 1 is backed by thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders, and more than 300 organizations across the state . “When I go door to door talking to voters about Question 1, I’m joined by educators, parents, and school staff who want our schools to have adequate staffing to give students one-on-one attention and help them recover from learning loss,” said Liz Speakman, a Quincy parent and Regional Field Organizer with Fair Share for Massachusetts . “I’m joined by drivers who want to see the potholes on our main streets fixed, bus riders who are worried about the state of our public transportation infrastructure, and students who want to get a public college degree without taking on enormous debt. That’s who our campaign is, and I know that when working people join together and have conversations with our neighbors, we can overcome the scare tactics of a few billionaires.” They Say : The No on 1 ad originally listed five top contributors: Suffolk Construction, Sandra and Paul Edgerley, Jim Davis and Rand-Whitney Countainerboard. Then, a day later, it was updated to list Suffolk Construction, Sandra Edgerley, Jim Davis, Phill Gross, and Rand-Whitney Countainerboard. The Facts : New filings with the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) show that the No on 1 campaign has raised more than $9 million, with more than $5 million coming from just five wealthy families. Three Massachusetts billionaires contributed at least $1 million each through corporate donations that prevent the true donor’s name from appearing in the ad disclosure: John Fish, Robert Kraft, and Rob Hale. Billionaire Jim Davis gave another $1 million, and multi-millionaires Paul and Sandra Edgerley gave another $1 million collectively. The rest of the campaign’s funding comes from a small number of other wealthy CEOs and financial investors, some of whom gave through their companies instead of in their own names. “It’s day two of the billionaire-funded ad campaign opposing Question 1, and they’re already having trouble keeping track of which billionaires are bankrolling their campaign,” said Jeron Mariani, Campaign Manager for Fair Share for Massachusetts . “Voters shouldn’t be fooled by donations being routed through out-of-state corporations or through multiple companies; the opposition to Question 1 is driven by a small number of the wealthiest people in Massachusetts who would rather spend millions scaring voters than pay their fair share.” Background on Question 1: the Fair Share Amendment The Fair Share Amendment – Question 1 on the November ballot – will allow Massachusetts to improve our transportation and public education systems by making the very rich pay their fair share. Question 1 would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and constitutionally dedicate the funds to be spent on transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will be impacted; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more. And we’ll all benefit from better schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation. Thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders, and more than 340 organizations across the state are working together to pass Question 1. Our campaign has been endorsed by 80 labor unions , 63 community organizing groups , 15 faith-based groups , more than 50 businesses , and more than 100 other social service and not-for-profit organizations focused on housing, education, transportation, public health, and the environment. Learn more and get involved at FairShareMA.com ### The Fair Share for Massachusetts campaign is led by Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition of community organizations, faith-based groups, and labor unions committed to building an economy that invests in families, gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, and creates broadly shared prosperity. Since our coalition came together in 2013, we have nearly doubled wages for hundreds of thousands of working people by winning two increases in the state’s minimum wage, won best-in-the-nation earned sick time and paid family and medical leave benefits for workers and their families, and started to build an economy that works for all of us, not just those at the top. Previous Next

  • At least 13 municipal boards now back millionaires tax | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back At least 13 municipal boards now back millionaires tax Meg McIntyre | Boston Business Journal Jul 14, 2022 Voters are set to consider the surtax on the statewide ballot in November after state legislators opted to put the question to residents during a Constitutional Convention last summer. The Amesbury City Council has become the latest municipal body to have endorsed the Fair Share Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment that would levy a 4 percentage point surtax on household income above $1 million per year. Voters are set to consider the surtax on the statewide ballot in November after state legislators opted to put the question to residents during a Constitutional Convention last summer. Amesbury councilors unanimously approved a resolution supporting the proposed surtax late last month, the Newburyport News reported . City Councilor Adrienne Lennon called the amendment an "obvious opportunity" for wealthy investors to support other residents at a time when local budgets are strained. "They do not live on their income, they live on the dividends of their income and it harms them in no way, whatsoever, to be contributing to the opportunities of the rest of the people of the commonwealth," Lennon said at the panel's June 28 meeting. By the News Service's count, at least 13 municipal bodies have publicly supported the amendment so far, including in Amesbury, Amherst, Cambridge, Dalton, Lee, Lynn, Medford, New Bedford, Newburyport, North Adams, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester. The proposal has also been backed by 26 housing and community development groups that declared their support for the measure last week. It has drawn opposition from groups such as the Massachusetts High Technology Council, Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, the Massachusetts chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, the Pioneer Institute and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. Previous Next

  • Berkshire Eagle: People gather in support of the Fair Share Amendment | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Berkshire Eagle: People gather in support of the Fair Share Amendment Gillian Jones | The Berkshire Eagle Apr 4, 2022 For a full photo recap, visit; The Berkshire Eagle | People gather in support of the Fair Share Amendment Previous Next

  • Home | Fair Share Amendment

    On November 8, 2022, Massachusetts voters passed Question 1: the Fair Share Amendment. We chose a fairer tax system, guaranteeing that the richest one percent will pay more to fund our public schools, colleges, roads, bridges, and public transit. Now, Fair Share is at work, already funding more than $6 billion in transportation and public education investments—with much more to come. Here's how the first $6 billion of Fair Share funding is being spent: Public Schools $782 million in direct aid to local school districts across Massachusetts $419 million to give every child free school meals, saving families hundreds of dollars a year for MBTA infrastructure and operations, including repairs, maintenance, and improvements $866.8 million Public Transportation for regional transit authorities, including expanded service hours, route expansions, and making fares free $422 million Public Colleges and Universities $289 million for financial aid to students at public colleges $287.5 million for tuition-free community college $208 million for public college campuses, buildings and infrastructure Roads and Bridges $298.5 million for the construction and repair of roads and bridges across the state Early Education and Care $1 billion to expand access to high-quality childcare and pre-K to more children and families Want to get involved? Help us spread the word that the Fair Share Amendment is already funding the schools, roads, and transit we all rely on.

  • Brad Grecco | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Brad Grecco Marketing Associate This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890

  • Ashley Amerson | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Ashley Amerson Product Manager This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890

  • Marcus Harris | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Marcus Harris Account Director This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. info@mysite.com 123-456-7890

  • iBerkshires: Pittsfield City Council Supports the Fair Share Amendment | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back iBerkshires: Pittsfield City Council Supports the Fair Share Amendment IBerkshires: Brittany Polito Mar 23, 2022 The City Council on Tuesday voted to endorse a resolution supporting the Fair Share Amendment, which imposes a 4 percent surcharge on earnings past the first $1 million to support transportation and education. Pittsfield City Council Supports the Fair Share Amendment (Source \ Original) By Brittany Polito iBerkshires Staff 07:35PM / Wednesday, March 23, 2022 Print Story | Email Story PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday voted to endorse a resolution supporting the Fair Share Amendment, which imposes a 4 percent surcharge on earnings past the first $1 million to support transportation and education. The amendment, which is expected to generate about $2 billion yearly, will be on the ballot for state voters in November. Frank Farkas of the Berkshire Democratic Brigades presented the resolution to the council. "I'm part of a group called the Berkshire Fair Share Committee, which has been speaking out about the need to pass the Fair Share Amendment this coming November, and has in the process gathered over 60 signatories representing every ward in Pittsfield in support of the fair share resolution you will be considering tonight," he explained. "Surprisingly, a lot of people have not yet heard of the Fair Share Amendment and those who have only the vaguest notion of what it promises to deliver to the commonwealth so let's work hard to make the case and bring fair share to people's attentions." Farkas added that it is a "golden opportunity" to put the commonwealth on a more stable and sustainable footing. He outlined the underfunded areas that could be greatly aided by the funds including the restoration of crumbling roads and bridges and bringing down the cost f community colleges. The Fair Share Amendment does all of this without asking 99 percent of the state to sacrifice more economically, Farkas said, and accomplishes that by introducing an element of progressive taxation in the state that has a flat tax rate despite its reputation as the "cradle of democracy." A number of residents spoke in support of the resolution during open microphone. Former educator and current member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board Sheila Irvin said she has seen the effects of budget shortfalls and discontinued grants in the consistency of educational programming as well as the inadequacy of federal funding to meet the transportation needs for local municipalities. She pointed to State Auditor Suzanne Bump's October 2021 report, Public Infrastructure in Western Massachusetts: A Critical Need for Regional Investment and Revitalization , which indicates that Western Mass communities don't have the tools to develop needed public infrastructure and recommends an increase in Chapter 90 funding. "At a time when the cost of driving and maintaining automobiles is becoming prohibitive for many in our community, we need funds to creatively expand models of public transportation," Irvin said. Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick was the lone vote in opposition of supporting the resolution because he questioned if it was fair and if the funds would actually reach Western Mass. "Is it good policy in general, when wanting to raise public money to find a demographic that you think ought to pay it?" he said. Kronick also expressed that he believes there are under 20 people who make over $1 million per year and rhetorically asked if the money would largely be spent in Boston. The Boston Globe reported in 2020 that there were 18,205 millionaires in the state by income, up 12.5 percent from the year before. There were 25 in Williamstown and 21 in Pittsfield filing for 2016, according to data from the state Department of Revenue, and Boston had the highest at 2,158. Councilor at Large Peter White spoke in support of the Fair Share Amendment. "This is a way that we could bring in more money for education, for infrastructure for transportation without directly taxing, I think, most of our citizens," he said. Farkas also reported that there will be a Berkshire Fair Share kickoff on April 4 at Berkshire Community College. Previous Next

  • Yes on 1 Campaign Responds to New Poll Showing Voters Demand Investments in Transportation Infrastructure | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back Yes on 1 Campaign Responds to New Poll Showing Voters Demand Investments in Transportation Infrastructure Oct 20, 2022 2nd Poll This Week Showing Strong Support for Question 1 Among Voters BOSTON – Supporters of Question 1, the proposed ‘Fair Share Amendment’ that would tax incomes above $1 million and raise billions of dollars that are constitutionally dedicated to transportation and public education, today responded to a new poll showing strong support from voters for investments in the state’s transportation infrastructure. The poll of 987 likely voters in the November general election, conducted by the MassINC Polling Group, found that 66 percent of voters think improving the condition of highways, roads, and bridges should be a top priority for the next Governor, while 59 percent think improving existing public transportation like trains, subways, and buses should be a top priority. “Massachusetts voters are demanding improvements to our roads, bridges, and public transportation, and Question 1 provides a clear way to pay for them,’ said Fair Share for Massachusetts Campaign Manager Jeron Mariani. “There’s no shortage of need for investment in our state’s transportation infrastructure. We need to fix potholes on our local roads, repair the state’s 644 structurally deficient bridges, and upgrade MBTA trains, tracks, and stations.” The poll also found that 78 percent of voters rate the condition of transportation in Massachusetts either fair or poor, while only 21 percent rate it good or excellent. The MassINC Polling Group poll measured support for Question 1 among voters, and found 59 percent support for Question 1, compared to 31 percent opposition. On Tuesday, a Suffolk University/Boston Globe/NBC10 Boston/Telemundo poll of Massachusetts voters found 58 percent support for Question 1, compared to 37 percent opposition. “Voters are supporting Question 1 because they recognize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve our schools and fix our transportation infrastructure,” said Mariani. “Question 1 will generate $2 billion a year to invest in transportation and public education, and only the very rich who make more than $1 million a year will pay more.” A recent Yes on Question 1 ad, titled ‘ Crews ,’ featured Jimmy Marenghi, an operating engineer and member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4, explaining how “Too many of our roads and bridges are downright dangerous to drive on. Question 1 brings in $2 billion a year so we can repair them.” An August report from the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center found that Massachusetts has 644 structurally deficient bridges, and that 1 in 9 bridge crossings in the state occur on a structurally deficient bridge. Only 25% of the state’s bridges are graded in ‘good’ condition. And according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, 25% of Massachusetts’ roads are in poor condition, and the average driver pays $620 per year in extra costs caused by driving on our substandard roadways. Background on Question 1: the Fair Share Amendment The Fair Share Amendment – Question 1 on the November ballot – will allow Massachusetts to improve our transportation and public education systems by making the very rich pay their fair share. Question 1 would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and constitutionally dedicate the funds to be spent on transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will be impacted; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more. And we’ll all benefit from better schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation. Thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders, and more than 500 organizations across the state are working together to pass Question 1. Our campaign has been endorsed by 87 labor unions ; 72 community organizing groups ; 18 faith-based groups ; more than 75 businesses ; 64 city councils, select boards, and school committees ; 89 local Democratic town and ward committees ; and 115 other social service and not-for-profit organizations focused on housing, education, transportation, public health, and the environment. Learn more and get involved at FairShareMA.com . ### The Fair Share for Massachusetts campaign is led by Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition of community organizations, faith-based groups, and labor unions committed to building an economy that invests in families, gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, and creates broadly shared prosperity. Since our coalition came together in 2013, we have nearly doubled wages for hundreds of thousands of working people by winning two increases in the state’s minimum wage, won best-in-the-nation earned sick time and paid family and medical leave benefits for workers and their families, and started to build an economy that works for all of us, not just those at the top. Previous Next

  • 28 Social Service Providers from Across Massachusetts Endorse Fair Share Amendment to Invest in Transportation and Public Education | Fair Share Amendment

    < Back 28 Social Service Providers from Across Massachusetts Endorse Fair Share Amendment to Invest in Transportation and Public Education Jul 11, 2022 Financial Empowerment, Anti-Poverty, & Immigrant Assistance Nonprofits Join Growing Coalition Supporting Tax on Million-Dollar Earners on November Ballot BOSTON – Fair Share for Massachusetts, the campaign working to pass the Fair Share Amendment, the proposed state tax on incomes above $1 million which would raise billions of dollars to invest in transportation and public education, today announced the endorsement of 28 social service providers from across the state. “The CEDC has served as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site for 19 years now,” said Corinn Williams, executive director of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts . “Each year, we help working families, immigrants and elders pay their taxes, and we see firsthand how working-class people are paying more of their income in taxes than the very rich do. The people we work with are paying their fair share. Now more than ever, it’s time to make our tax system fairer so that multi-millionaires pay their proper fair share, too.” The 28 social service providers include financial empowerment nonprofits, anti-poverty agencies, immigrant assistance groups, food banks and homeless shelters from communities including Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Fall River, Greenfield, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Quincy, Somerville, and Worcester. “Regardless of district or zip code, Massachusetts' students deserve access to science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) programming that is proven to result in long term student success,” said Juan Maldonado, Associate Director of Sociedad Latina in Boston . “With the additional funding raised by the Fair Share Amendment, we can take a meaningful step towards educational and racial equity.” “I am proud to support this important work to bring Massachusetts the revenues needed to support and sustain critical infrastructure,” said Justin Pasquariello, Executive Director of East Boston Social Centers . “To continue to lead in education, we must invest more in early education and care and in all districts. To continue to support families of all incomes, our economy, and our environment, we desperately need investments in our transit infrastructure. Currently, our residents with lower incomes have the highest effective tax rates because more of their income goes to sales taxes and property taxes. The Fair Share amendment will bring all Massachusetts taxpayers closer to giving the same percentage of their income to make critical investments in the commonwealth.” “It’s no secret there is a correlation between zip code and the quality of housing, transportation and education resources available in any given area,” said David Gibbs, executive director of the Community Action Agency of Somerville . “The Fair Share Amendment will help low-income families in communities like Somerville, and others throughout the state, by creating additional resources for the creation and preservation of affordable housing, improving public transportation, and enhancing public education opportunities. By addressing these infrastructure and education issues now, we will ensure working families receive the best access to resources they can get in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, regardless of what municipality they live in.” “Preparing students for a diverse and multicultural world is a large part of what it means to receive a strong public education in Massachusetts,” said Mei Hung, executive director of the Chinese Culture Connection, Inc. in Malden . “If the Fair Share Amendment is passed this November, not only will the wealthy have the opportunity to share some of their extra funds for a good cause, but schools will be able to better prepare our children for life in Massachusetts and beyond.” “PACE sees first-hand the need for increased investment at all levels of our education system,” said Pam Kuechler, Executive Director of People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) in New Bedford . “Recruiting, retaining, and valuing our early education teachers is critical, and with the mental health of our children impacted by the pandemic, we must find the additional resources our next generation deserves.” The social service providers join more than 215 organizations and thousands of activists across the state who are working together to win the Fair Share Amendment on the ballot. The campaign previously announced support from 63 community organizing groups and 26 housing and community development organizations . After years of grassroots advocacy, the state Legislature voted in June 2021 to place the Fair Share Amendment on the November 2022 statewide ballot, where it is now set to be decided on by the voters. The full list of endorsing social service providers is below, and a full list of organizations that have endorsed the Fair Share Amendment is available at fairsharema.com/endorsements . Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee Center for Living & Working, Inc. Chinese Culture Connection, Inc. Citizens for Citizens Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc. Community Action Program Inner City Community Economic Development Center of SE MA East Boston Social Center Economic Mobility Pathways (EMPath) Greater Boston Legal Services Greater Lawrence Community Action Council Immigrants' Assistance Center, Inc. (IAC) Just A Start Latinx Community Center for Empowerment LEO Inc LifePath National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter People Acting in Community Endeavors (PACE) Project Bread Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. Rosie's Place Sociedad Latina South Boston En Accion The Midas Collaborative True Alliance Center Union Capital Boston Worcester Community Action Council Worcester County Food Bank Background on the Fair Share Amendment The Fair Share Amendment on the November ballot will allow Massachusetts to improve our transportation and public education systems by making the very rich pay their fair share. The ballot question would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and dedicate the funds raised to transportation and public education. Only people who earn more than $1 million annually will be impacted; 99% of us won’t pay a penny more. And we’ll all benefit from better schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation. ### The Fair Share for Massachusetts campaign is led by Raise Up Massachusetts, a coalition of community organizations, faith-based groups, and labor unions committed to building an economy that invests in families, gives everyone the opportunity to succeed, and creates broadly shared prosperity. Since our coalition came together in 2013, we have nearly doubled wages for hundreds of thousands of working people by winning two increases in the state’s minimum wage, won best-in-the-nation earned sick time and paid family and medical leave benefits for workers and their families, and started to build an economy that works for all of us, not just those at the top. Learn more at FairShareMA.com. Image by Peter Lewitt Previous Next

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