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< 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

< 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

< Back 26 Housing & Community Development Orgs from Across MA Endorse Fair Share Amendment to Invest in Transportation and Public Education ​ Jul 6, 2022 ​ 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 26 housing and community development organizations from across the state. “We hope voters see the wisdom and value in securing $2 billion in order to improve the Massachusetts economy by repairing roads, bridge and public transportation, infrastructure most of us use every day,” said Philip Giffee, Executive Director of Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH). “In addition, the Amendment will enable the Commonwealth to invest more in public education such as much-needed STEM programs. We need to invest in our young folks so they are skilled at helping create a vibrant economy when they take charge.” The 26 housing and community development organizations include nonprofit affordable housing developers, tenants rights groups, and community development corporations (CDCs) from communities including Boston, Cambridge, Cape Cod, Chelsea, Chesterfield, Fitchburg, Franklin County, Lawrence, Northampton, Somerville, Springfield, and Worcester. “Right now, working families in Springfield are working harder than ever just to keep up with their bills and stay in their homes. But throughout the pandemic, Massachusetts’ multimillionaires and billionaires just kept getting richer,” said Rose Webster-Smith, Program Director of Springfield No One Leaves . “With the Fair Share Amendment, only the super rich will pay more, and we’ll all benefit from better roads, more reliable public transit, and great public schools and colleges that give students the resources they need to succeed.” “This November, voters will have a unique opportunity to directly shape the future of our Commonwealth,” said Joe Kriesberg, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC) . “By voting Yes on this initiative, we can ensure a more equitable and prosperous future for ourselves and for future generations — a future where all children receive the great education they deserve and where all of us can access the reliable transportation we need to work, shop, play and thrive.” “Lawrence CommunityWorks supports Fair Share because we believe that everyone in Massachusetts must contribute according to their ability, for the shared prosperity and growth of all,” said Jessica Andors, Executive Director of Lawrence CommunityWorks, Inc. “As a Community Development Corporation providing thousands of Bostonians with affordable housing options, we support the needs of vital everyday issues such as public transportation, roads, and schools,” said Lee Nave, Co-Interim Community Organizing Director of Codman Square Community Development Corporation . “The Fair Share Amendment will generate an estimated $2 billion dollars annually to invest in Massachusetts, from the streets of Codman Square to the people we serve every day.” The housing and community development organizations 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. 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 housing and community development organizations is below, and a full list of organizations that have endorsed the Fair Share Amendment is available at fairsharema.com/endorsements . A Better Cambridge Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation Asian Community Development Corporation City Life / Vida Urbana Codman Square NDC Codman Square Neighborhood Council Community Development Partnership of Cape Cod Fenway CDC Franklin Regional Council of Governments Hilltown CDC Homeowners Rehab Inc. Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA) JPNDC Lawrence CommunityWorks MACDC Madison Park Development Corporation Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance NewVue Communities NOAH Nuestra Comunidad CDC Roxbury Somerville Community Corporation Springfield No One Leaves The Neighborhood Developers Inc. Valley CDC (Northampton) Wellspring Cooperative Corporation Worcester Common Ground, Inc. 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. Previous Next

< Back Fair Share Amendment Ballot Campaign Launches Third TV Ad ​ Sep 16, 2022 With Question 1 on the November Ballot, “Opportunity Is Knocking” BOSTON – The campaign working to pass the Fair Share Amendment today announced the launch of its third television ad , part of an eight-figure TV ad campaign that is running through Election Day. The Fair Share Amendment, the proposed state tax on incomes above $1 million, would raise billions of dollars to invest in transportation and public education. It is Question 1 on the November statewide ballot. “With this ad, we’re highlighting the once-in-a-generation opportunity Massachusetts has this November to make our tax system fairer, improve our schools and colleges, and fix our crumbling transportation infrastructure,” said Fair Share for Massachusetts Campaign Manager Jeron Mariani . “At the same time, thousands of workers, students, and retirees are knocking on doors and calling voters to share the facts about Question 1: only those who earn more than a million dollars a year will pay more, and we’ll all benefit from $2 billion a year that’s constitutionally dedicated to transportation and public education. From TV ads and digital media, to grassroots campaigning and conversations between neighbors, our campaign is pursuing every opportunity to make sure voters understand the importance of passing Question 1.” Titled ‘ Knocking ,’ the new ad explains how “Question 1 opens the door for a $2 billion a year investment in public schools, colleges, and transportation, strengthening our economy and creating jobs.” “After years of the very rich paying less in taxes than everyone else, they’ll finally pay their fair share. While the rest of us, students, workers, retirees, won’t pay a penny more,” the ad says. “And the money is constitutionally protected to be spent on public schools, colleges, roads, and bridges. So everyone wins. Vote YES on Question 1.” Thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders, and more than 300 organizations across the state are working together on the Fair Share for Massachusetts campaign to pass Question 1. 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 as Question 1. The new ad can be viewed here . Previous ‘Yes on 1’ TV ads can be found here and here . 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. 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

< Back City Councils, Select Boards & School Committees in 50+ Communities Endorse Question 1 to Improve Local Roads & Schools with Tax on Million-Dollar Earners ​ Oct 6, 2022 From Amesbury and Bridgewater to Windsor and Worcester, Question 1 Gaining Support from Communities Large and Small Across Massachusetts BOSTON – The ‘Fair Share for Massachusetts’ campaign today announced that city councils, select boards, and school committees representing more than 50 communities across the state have endorsed 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. “The Springfield City Council voted to support Question 1 because it will mean more money to fix potholes, hire teachers, and repair aging bridges and school buildings,” said Springfield City Council President Jesse Lederman . “Question 1 will mean Springfield finally gets our fair share when it comes to education and transportation infrastructure to support the next generation. I’m voting YES on Question 1 for a better future.” In recent months, resolutions supporting the Fair Share Amendment, Question 1 on the November ballot, have been passed by 19 city councils, 16 town select boards, and 27 school committees, collectively representing more than 50 communities across Massachusetts. Communities range in size from rural towns such as Windsor (population 831) and New Salem (population 983), to many of the Commonwealth’s largest cities, including Worcester, Springfield, and Boston. “I, along with many in the Town of Arlington, realize that providing better transportation and education for everyone will benefit all cities and towns and boost the growth of our entire Commonwealth,” said Len Diggins, Chair of the Arlington Select Board . “Those with little wealth will have more opportunities to realize their potential, and the increase in economic activity will even benefit those with more wealth! The pie will get bigger; we will all win!” At city council, select board, and school committees over the past few months, municipal supporters of Question 1 have spoken about how the constitutional amendment would help their communities by making our tax system fairer and providing substantial resources for education and transportation investments. “Súper emocionada de ver presentado está resolución en apoyo en la Enmienda De Parte Justa, junto a mis colegas del concilio nosotros estamos comprometidos en crear mejores oportunidades para nuestras comunidades y esta propuesta de ley trae los recursos para invertir en educación, y la infraestructura de transportación para todos en Massachusetts,” said Lawrence City Councilor Celina Reyes in August. (Translation: “I’m super excited to see this resolution presented in support of the Fair Share Amendment, together with my council colleagues. We are committed to creating better opportunities for our communities and this bill brings the resources to invest in education and transportation infrastructure for all in Massachusetts.” “I am proud to sponsor this resolution in support of the Fair Share Amendment, a statewide tax on millionaires that will then bring millions in funding to the very school district I was raised in,” said Salem School Committee Vice Chair Manny Cruz in June. “With the dollars raised we can uplift our school communities through providing the smaller class sizes, social-emotional supports, extra tutoring, and additional counselors, nurses, and social workers that our students deserve.” “Many of us came to and continue to live in Newburyport because of all the assets that the state brings in terms of an educated workforce and other important public infrastructure,” said Newburyport At-Large Councillor Edward Cameron in May. “These proposed Fair Share Amendment revenues going towards education and transportation will definitely be part and parallel to keeping it that way.” The full list of endorsing city/town councils and school committees is below: Amesbury City Council Amherst City Council Arlington Select Board Ashfield Select Board Becket Select Board Boston City Council Bridgewater City Council Cambridge City Council Colrain Select Board Conway Select Board Dalton Select Board Easthampton City Council Fall River City Council Gill Select Board Holyoke City Council Lawrence City Council Lee Select Board Leverett Select Board Lynn City Council Medford City Council Montague Select Board New Bedford City Council New Salem Select Board Newburyport City Council Newton City Council North Adams City Council Northampton City Council Northfield Select Board Otis Select Board Pittsfield City Council Shutesbury Select Board Somerset Select Board Somerville City Council Springfield City Council Windsor Select Board Worcester City Council Acton-Boxborough Regional School Committee Amherst School Committee Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee (Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, & Shutesbury) Arlington School Committee Braintree School Committee Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School Committee Burlington School Committee Cambridge School Committee Central Berkshire Regional School Committee (Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, & Windsor) Greenfield School Committee Lee School Committee Leverett School Committee Lexington School Committee Malden School Committee Medford School Committee New Bedford School Committee New Salem and Wendell School Committee North Adams School Committee Northampton School Committee Pittsfield School Committee Salem School Committee Somerset School Committee Somerset-Berkley Regional School Committee Somerville School Committee Springfield School Committee Watertown School Committee Worcester School Committee 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 350 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 75 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

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< Back Transportation Advocacy Organizations Endorse Question 1 to Improve Transportation and Public Education ​ Aug 8, 2022 Transportation Advocates Join Growing Coalition Supporting Fair Share Amendment Tax on Million-Dollar Earners on November Ballot For Immediate Release August 8, 2022 Contact: Andrew Farnitano, 925-917-1354, andrew@crawfordstrategies.com Transportation Advocacy Organizations Endorse Question 1 to Improve Transportation and Public Education Transportation Advocates Join Growing Coalition Supporting Fair Share Amendment Tax on Million-Dollar Earners on November Ballot BOSTON – 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 ten transportation advocacy organizations from across the state. The Fair Share Amendment is Question 1 on the November statewide ballot. “The Transportation for Massachusetts coalition endorses Question 1 to support equitable, sustainable revenue for urgently needed investments in transportation,” said Josh Ostroff, Interim Director of Transportation for Massachusetts . “Across the Commonwealth, our roads, bridges, public transit, and biking and walking infrastructure are outdated and unreliable, while transportation remains the largest source of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to high asthma rates and poor health outcomes. Outdated roads and bridges are in a state of disrepair, causing damage to our vehicles, and putting cyclists and pedestrians at risk, while our public transit systems need billions of dollars of investment to achieve a state of good repair, to make transit stations accessible to people with disabilities, and to expand regional bus service for riders who rely on transit.” “These are problems we can solve,” Ostroff continued. “In November, Massachusetts voters have the opportunity to say yes to cleaner, safer and more equitable transportation with the Fair Share Amendment.” The ten transportation organizations collectively represent thousands of transportation advocates from across Massachusetts. “LivableStreets is excited to endorse the Fair Share Amendment on the 2022 ballot," said Catherine Gleason, the Public Policy Manager at LivableStreets Alliance . “If approved, this Amendment would provide critical funds for the State to invest into much needed improvements for our public transportation system—benefitting not only the MBTA, but transit systems across Massachusetts.” “Across the commonwealth, from the Berkshires to the Outer Cape, our roads, bridges, sidewalks, transit, and bike lanes are badly in need of repair and improvements. It’s 2022, more than two decades into the 21st century, and we are still living with 1960s-era infrastructure,” said Galen Mook, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) . “If we defer investing in our transportation networks, every single resident will feel the impacts of a neglected system. Question 1 will make sure the funding to improve our transportation infrastructure is provided, and comes from those who can shoulder the burden by paying their fair share.” “In our work in neighborhoods across Massachusetts, we often see sidewalks that need to be fixed, crosswalks that need to be re-striped, and roads that simply need to be narrower to calm speeding traffic,” said Stacey Beuttell, Executive Director of WalkBoston . “These short-term, low cost projects are critical to make walking safer and more enjoyable in communities of all sizes. We support Question 1 to ensure that walkability improvements are given a much needed, steady funding source.” “When you're on a bike, you feel every single pothole in your bones. Cyclists know firsthand that our streets need major repairs, and Question 1 is a huge opportunity to fix roads and bridges across the state,” said Becca Wolfson, Executive Director of the Boston Cyclists Union . “And, there are tens of thousands of people across Massachusetts who might try biking as opposed to driving, which would help address our dual climate and congestion crises, but don't feel safe without dedicated infrastructure. The Fair Share Amendment will mean more funding to repave our streets and paths, and more opportunities to rebuild our roads with high-quality protected bike infrastructure that makes cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians safer.” “The Fair Share Amendment would provide the state with funds we desperately need to repair our closed bridges and roads, reviving our connections and our communities,” said Anne Miller, Cofounder of Citizens for a Palmer Rail Stop. “Everywhere Arlington Livable Streets supports the Fair Share Amendment because we see it as a terrific way to raise money for the MBTA and sustainable transportation projects from state residents who can afford to put a few hundred dollars more into a transportation system that until recently has been too heavily weighted towards roads and highways,” said Phil Goff, co-chair of Everywhere Arlington Livable Streets . The transportation advocacy organizations join more than 280 organizations and thousands of activists across the state who are working together to pass Question 1 on the ballot. The campaign previously announced support from 63 community organizing groups , 26 housing and community development organizations , 28 social service providers , 15 faith-based groups , 7 public health organizations , and 7 environmental and climate 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 as Question 1. “For too long, riders dependent on public transit paid a disproportionate share of their income to maintain our transit systems,” said Staci Rubin, Vice President of Environmental Justice at Conservation Law Foundation , one of the environmental groups that endorsed Question 1 last week. “Yet these riders have not benefited from the investments we need to create a safe, accessible, and affordable transit system. It’s time for people of means to pay what’s fair to support our transportation and education systems.” The full list of endorsing transportation advocacy organizations is below, and a full list of organizations that have endorsed Question 1 is available at fairsharema.com/endorsements. Boston Cyclists Union Citizens for a Palmer Rail Stop Everywhere Arlington Livable Streets Institute for Transportation & Development Policy LivableStreets Alliance Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition (MassBike) Public Transit Public Good Coalition TransitMatters Transportation For Massachusetts WalkBoston 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 require – in the state constitution – that the funds be spent only 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, colleges, roads, bridges, and public transportation. 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

< Back Environmental & Climate Organizations Endorse Question 1 to Improve Transportation and Public Education ​ Aug 1, 2022 Environmental Advocates Join Growing Coalition Supporting Fair Share Amendment Tax on Million-Dollar Earners on November Ballot BOSTON – 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 seven of the state’s leading environmental and climate organizations. The Fair Share Amendment is Question 1 on the November statewide ballot. “Our public education and transportation system have been underfunded for far too long. The Fair Share Amendment will bring a permanent source of revenue for critical investments in these areas, particularly for historically underserved communities,” said Veena Dharmaraj, Director of Transportation at Massachusetts Sierra Club . “A safe, reliable, affordable, and electrified public transit system should not be a luxury for those that need it the most. Let’s get million-dollar-earners to pay their fair share for building a stronger Commonwealth.” The seven environmental and climate organizations collectively represent thousands of environmental advocates from across Massachusetts. “Our schools, roads and transit systems are all public goods, and they must be people-centered and fully-funded. Question 1 would fund these public goods by taxing people who earn more than $1 million dollars a year, not on the backs of those who can afford it least — environmental justice communities like Chelsea and East Boston,” said Maria Belen Power, Associate Executive Director of GreenRoots . “As we move towards a just recovery, we need the Fair Share Amendment: A new progressive source of revenue that centers working-class families across the state.” “350 Mass is fighting for environmental policy that will help lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve our planet. The Fair Share Amendment will generate an estimated $2 billion in revenue each year that will be used in part to improve our public transportation systems and create more opportunities for eco-friendly transit,” said Sylvia Parsons, Transportation Working Group Co-Chair at 350 Mass . “With better, more reliable public transportation, funded by Fair Share, more Massachusetts residents will be able to choose transit on their daily commutes or to get around town. By voting Yes on 1 this November, we’re promoting environmental justice for all across the Commonwealth.” “The impacts of the climate crisis are already here. To achieve a sustainable future for all children, we need a robust public transit system that is safe, reliable, and affordable,” said Mina Reddy, Co-Coordinator of the Mothers Out Front Massachusetts Leadership Team . “The revenue raised by passing Question 1 will bring that within reach – without placing the cost on those least able to pay.” “If public transit is better funded, we will all benefit from cleaner air and shorter commutes,” said Larry Chretien, Executive Director of the Green Energy Consumers Alliance . “That’s why the Green Energy Consumers Alliance supports the Fair Share Amendment.” The environmental and climate organizations join more than 215 organizations and thousands of activists across the state who are working together to pass Question 1 on the ballot. The campaign previously announced support from 63 community organizing groups , 26 housing and community development organizations , 28 social service providers , 15 faith-based groups , and 7 public health 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 as Question 1. The full list of endorsing environmental and climate organizations is below, and a full list of organizations that have endorsed Question 1 is available at fairsharema.com/endorsements . 350 Mass Conservation Law Foundation Green Energy Consumers Alliance GreenRoots Mothers Out Front Massachusetts Our Climate Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter 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 require – in the state constitution – that the funds be spent only 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, colleges, roads, bridges, and public transportation. 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

< Back Today: Senator Markey joins Somerville launch of Fair Share ballot campaign Marta Corvelo | The Somerville Times May 15, 2022 Senator Edward Markey (D–Mass) will join dozens of local supporters of the Fair Share Amendment to launch the Somerville campaign... Today: Senator Markey joins Somerville launch of Fair Share ballot campaign On May 15, 2022, in Latest News , by The Somerville Times Senator Edward Markey (D–Mass) will join dozens of local supporters of the Fair Share Amendment to launch the Somerville campaign for the statewide ballot question today, Sunday May 15. Teams of Fair Share advocates will be canvassing the Somerville’s neighborhoods and speaking directly to voters. Senator Markey and the Somerville Fair Share team join hundreds of activists in several communities across the state who support the proposed state tax on annual incomes above $1 million that will appear on the November 2022 statewide ballot. WHO Senator Edward Markey and local Somerville supporters of the Fair Share Amendment WHAT Door-to-door neighborhood canvass WHEN Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 11:00 AM WHERE Argenziano School (290 Washington Street, Somerville MA) This fall, voters have the historic opportunity to make our tax system fairer and provide funding to improve our schools, roads, bridges, and public transportation. 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. Marta Corvelo The ballot question would create a 4 percent tax on 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. Previous Next

< 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

< Back Fair Share Amendment Ballot Campaign Launches New TV Ad Focused on Retired Homeowner ​ Oct 14, 2022 Question 1 on the November Ballot Would Raise $2 Billion for Schools and Roads, Wouldn’t Affect Vast Majority of Home Sales BOSTON – The campaign working to pass the Fair Share Amendment today announced the launch of a new TV ad , part of an eight-figure TV ad campaign that is running through Election Day. The Fair Share Amendment, the proposed state tax on incomes above $1 million, would raise billions of dollars that are constitutionally dedicated to transportation and public education. It is Question 1 on the November statewide ballot. Titled ‘ Retiree ,’ the new ad features John Lippitt, a Reading homeowner and retiree , explaining how “Question 1 raises $2 billion a year for public education and roads. It turns out, only people making over a million dollars a year will pay more, and it won’t impact our retirement savings. Even when we sell our house, we won’t have to pay more. I’m voting YES on Question 1.” A recent report from the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center found that even in Massachusetts’s hot housing market, only a tiny percentage of home sellers would see their taxable income rise above $1 million. Last year, only 895 homes, less than 1 percent of all home sales in the state, generated enough of a gain to be affected by Question 1. That's because it's the gain in value since the house was originally purchased, not the full sales price, that is subject to income tax. Plus, home sellers can deduct up to $500,000 from their taxes on the sale of their primary residence, and also deduct the entire cost of a renovated kitchen, an updated heating system, a new roof, or any other major improvements. Local data on home sales shows that in the majority of towns across the Commonwealth, not a single home was sold for a gain of $1 million or more. Only 22 towns had more than 10 sales yield a gain of $1.5 million or more, enough to be affected by Question 1 after deductions are taken. In John’s town of Reading, not a single home sold for that much of a gain. “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,” says Lippitt . “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.” The new ad can be found here . Previous ‘Yes on 1’ TV ads can be found here , here , here , here , and here . 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 350 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 75 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

< Back Kelly Parker HR Representative 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