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< Back Ahead of Labor Day, 80 Mass. Labor Unions Endorse Question 1 to Improve Transportation and Public Education ​ Sep 1, 2022 Unions Representing Nearly Half a Million Workers Join Growing Coalition Supporting Fair Share Amendment Tax on Million-Dollar Earners on November Ballot BOSTON – Ahead of Labor Day weekend, 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 80 labor unions from across the state. The Fair Share Amendment is Question 1 on the November statewide ballot. “Union members across Massachusetts are voting Yes on Question 1 in November because we work hard and pay our fair share, and it’s time for the very rich to pay their fair share too,” said Steven Tolman, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. “Question 1 would constitutionally dedicate $2 billion every year to fixing our roads, bridges, schools, colleges, and transit infrastructure, and only those making more than $1 million a year would pay a penny more. That’s a win for working people, and a win for Massachusetts.” The 80 labor unions collectively represent nearly half a million workers across Massachusetts, including teachers, bus and truck drivers, nurses, carpenters, educators, grocery workers, custodians, healthcare workers, paraprofessionals, electricians, property service workers, plumbers, school counselors, human service workers, roofers, and many more. “Tens of thousands of educators all across Massachusetts are voting Yes on Question 1 — and organizing our neighbors to vote Yes — because we know that Question 1 will make our tax system fairer and generate billions of dollars for our public schools and colleges," said Max Page, President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association. "States that invest in basic public goods like transportation and public education have stronger economies, and Question 1 will help us build a healthy economy that works for everyone. As we recover from the pandemic, Massachusetts students need smaller class sizes and more one-on-one instruction from fairly-paid educators. Our public colleges need to be more affordable, so that future generations aren't forced to take on debt to receive a degree. Question 1 will deliver better schools and more affordable public colleges, and only the very rich who earn more than a million dollars a year will pay for it.” “As a caregiver, I have seen firsthand how COVID has created more barriers for working families to get ahead, while the super-rich get richer,” said Paulena Bergeron, a 1199SEIU member and personal care attendant from Springfield. “To change this inequity, our vision for the future must be greater than the past. And that starts with the Fair Share Amendment. Question 1 invests in us and the communities we live in and care for. I’m voting Yes on 1 to help create a Massachusetts that works for all.” “Our students are facing incredible challenges right now, and Question 1 is a once-in-a- generation chance to make our schools better," said AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos. "Teachers and students have worked incredibly hard over the last few years, while the super rich kept getting richer and richer. With Question 1, those who earn more than a million dollars annually will finally pay their fair share, and our students will have better-funded schools from K-12, and access to affordable public college when they graduate.” “As nurses, whether it be those working in school health offices, hospital emergency departments, community health centers or mental health facilities, we see the impacts of growing economic inequality on the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable in our society, and as such, we believe it is time for the super rich in our society to bear an equal burden and to pay their fair share for the good of all, which is why we have endorsed this initiative,” said Katie Murphy, RN, a frontline critical care nurse and president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. “Massachusetts Building Trades Unions are proud to endorse the Fair Share Amendment to ensure all Massachusetts residents pay their Fair Share and in the process, create jobs and development in transportation and education across the Commonwealth,” said Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions. “Working people know that better schools and reliable roads and bridges are the best way to grow our economy and make it work for everyone – that’s why we’re supporting Question 1,” said Peter MacKinnon, President of SEIU Local 509. “99 percent of us won’t pay anything more, but we’ll all benefit when our kids have more teachers, our roads have fewer potholes, and our tax system is fairer.” The labor unions join more than 300 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, 7 environmental and climate organizations, and 10 transportation advocacy organizations, as well as more than 50 businesses across the state. 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 labor unions is below, and a full list of organizations that have endorsed Question 1 is available at fairsharema.com/endorsements. 1199SEIU 32BJ SEIU AFGE Local 3258 AFT Amesbury Local 1033 AFT Local 1340 Chelsea Teachers Union AFT Maintainers Local 6350 AFT Massachusetts American Postal Workers Union Andover Education Association Arlington Education Association ATU Local 1037 Ayer Shirley Regional Education Association, Inc. Berkshire Labor Assembly WMALF Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 Boston Teachers Union Cambridge Education Association Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO Central Labor Council CWA D1 Eastern Millwright Regional Council Fall River Educators Association Greater Boston Labor Council Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council Groton Dunstable Educators Association Harvard Teachers Association Hatfield Teaching Association Haverhill Education Association IBEW Local 103 IBEW Local 223 International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4 IUE-CWA 201 IUPAT DC35 LiUNA! Local 175 Lynn Teachers Union, Local 1037 Malden Education Association Massachusetts AFL-CIO Massachusetts Building Trades Unions Massachusetts Library Staff Association Massachusetts Nurses Association Massachusetts Society of Professors Massachusetts Teachers Association Mendon Upton Regional Teachers Association Merrimack Valley Central Labor Council Merrimack Valley Educators Bargaining Council New Bedford Educators Association Norfolk County Central Labor Council North Adams Teachers Association North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Local 339 North Shore Labor Council Pittsfield Educational Administrators' Association Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 534 Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12 Plymouth Bristol Central Labor Council Professional Staff Union/MTA/NEA Rockland Education Association Roofers and Slaters Local 248 Roofers Local 33 Salem Teachers Union SEIU CIR SEIU Community Action SEIU Local 509 SEIU Local 888 SEIU Massachusetts State Council Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Union Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 Somerville Educators Union Southeastern Massachusetts Building Trades Council Springfield Federation of Paraprofessionals Teamsters Local 122 Tewksbury Teachers Association UAW Region 9A UFCW Local 1459 Union 38 Educators Association United Educators of Pittsfield United Steelworkers District 4 United Teachers of Lowell Wakefield Education Association Westborough Education Association Western Mass Area Labor Federation Previous Next

< Back Greenfield Recorder: Supports Fair Share Amendment Virginia (Jinx) Hastings Mar 31, 2022 Many high income households have paid less (percentage-wise) than most of us pay in state and federal Taxes. Supports Fair Share Amendment (Source / original) Math lesson. A million in seconds is about 12 days. A billion in seconds is about 32 years. Massachusetts has approximately 20,000 households earning over a million dollars and 34 billionaires. Please consider voting for the Fair Share Amendment in Massachusetts in November. Many high income households have paid less (percentage-wise) than most of us pay in state and federal Taxes. The Fair Share Amendment would be a change in our Massachusetts Constitution to create a 4% increase in taxes for people earning over one million dollars annually. This revenue would be spent on education and maintenance of public roads, bridges and transportation. Do the math. Four percent of a million dollar income (or more) is _____, then multiply by 20,000-plus high income earners in Massachusetts, then, add the billionaires income. The wealthiest in our commonwealth can easily afford to pay more, the payback in education and infrastructure is a benefit to all. Virginia (Jinx) Hastings Previous Next

< Back Yes on 1 Campaign: School Counselors’ Plea for Help Highlights Urgent Need for Fair Share Amendment to Fund K-12 Education ​ Oct 13, 2022 Question 1 on the November Ballot Would Help Fund Schools, Colleges, Roads, Bridges & Transit BOSTON – In response to a call from a coalition of Massachusetts school-based counselors and educators for additional resources and staff to meet the mental health needs of students, the campaign working to pass the Fair Share Amendment today emphasized the need for additional funding for K-12 schools. “Students throughout Massachusetts are struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic – both academically and when it comes to their mental health. They clearly need more support than they’re getting today, and that’s what Question 1 will deliver,” said Jeron Mariani, Campaign Manager for Fair Share for Massachusetts . “We cannot afford to let an entire generation of young people fall behind. Question 1 will deliver billions of dollars to help support public school students with more individualized attention, more counselors, and more wrap-around services to meet their individual needs and get them back on track.” 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. According to the Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Massachusetts has only 1 counselor for every 364 students, much less than the expert recommendation of at least 1 for every 250 students. Nationally, 70% of public schools have reported an increase in the percentage of students seeking mental health services at school since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 76% of schools also reported an increase in staff voicing concerns about students exhibiting symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and trauma. "I’ve seen my kids and their peers go through so much over the past few years. It’s been really tough for them!” said Liz Speakman, a mother of two from Quincy . “Question 1 is a chance to give them healthier learning environments where they can concentrate on their education. Question 1 would let us make the investments our kids need so they can reach their full potential.” 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 Workers Launch Campaign For High-Earner Surtax Colin A. Young | State House News May 11, 2022 ​ Workers Launch Campaign For High-Earner Surtax (original / Source) 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 Religious Groups Declare Surtax Support Michael P. Norton | State House News Service Jul 18, 2022 ​ Wading into the debate over a proposed income surtax, 15 religious groups announced Monday that they support changing the constitution to impose higher taxes on wealthier households. The Fair Share for Massachusetts campaign said the proposed 4 percent additional state tax on household incomes above $1 million per year is supported by the Black Ministerial Alliance/Boston Ten Point Coalition; Brockton Interfaith Community; Episcopal City Mission; Essex County Community Organization; Greater Framingham Community Church; Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action; Massachusetts Communities Action Network; New England Jewish Labor Committee; Pioneer Valley Project; Prophetic Resistance Boston; Sharon Interfaith Action; Unitarian Universalist Association; United Interfaith Action of Southeastern MA (UIA); UU Mass Action, and Worcester Interfaith. "As an organization, we believe in equal access to opportunity, and this is exactly what the Fair Share Amendment is working towards: more equitable systems of transportation and education to benefit every Massachusetts resident," said Rev. Edwin Johnson of St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Dorchester, a member of Prophetic Resistance Boston and the Massachusetts Communities Action Network. Executive Director of Unitarian Universalist Mass Action Rev. Jo Murphy said, "UU Mass Action, as a faith-based community organization working with frontline partner organizations, has witnessed the growing economic disparities and the impacts on our education and transportation systems. For this reason, and as Unitarian Universalists who see economic justice as a core principle and part of our communal thriving, we support the Fair Share Amendment and truly see it as crucial to our economy and a sustainable way to recover from COVID." Opponents of the surtax say it will harm the state economy, drive wealthier residents and capital out of state, and hurt the retirement plans of small business owners who plan to sell their businesses. Previous Next

< Back 75+ Massachusetts Businesses Endorse Question 1 to Improve Transportation and Public Education ​ Sep 29, 2022 More Small Business Owners Joining 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 that are constitutionally dedicated for transportation and public education, today announced the endorsement of more than 75 businesses from across the state. The Fair Share Amendment is Question 1 on the November statewide ballot. “I’m thrilled to be supporting the Yes on 1 campaign because I want to see better roads and fully-funded schools. Small businesses like mine have really struggled over the last few years, and Question 1 is a chance to turn things around,” said Netania Shapiro, owner of Caravan Kitchen in Northampton . “We depend on good roads for our employees and customers, and Question 1 will mean $2 billion a year for schools, colleges, and transportation infrastructure, without small businesses paying a penny more.” The businesses include restaurants, bookstores, farms, barber shops, breweries, retailers, hotels, solar installers, banks, home repair contractors, and other businesses from across Massachusetts, in communities such as Adams, Amherst, Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Everett, Fairhaven, Fall River, Grafton, Greenfield, Hyannis, Lexington, Malden, Montague, Newburyport, New Bedford, North Adams, Northampton, Pittsfield, Randolph, Shelburne, Somerville, South Hadley, Stoneham, and Worcester. “As a socially responsible bank, we know that investing in our basic infrastructure is the best way to grow our economy and make it work for everyone,” said Kathleen Gasperine, First Vice President of Amalgamated Bank in Boston . “We're supporting Question 1, the Fair Share Amendment, because it will make Massachusetts' tax system more fair and improve schools, colleges, roads, bridges, and transit across the state. That means more jobs, more opportunity, and more economic growth. Question 1 is good for business and good for our clients.” Opponents of Question 1 are trying to scare business owners and mislead voters by claiming that it is a tax on businesses, but that’s not true. The Fair Share Amendment adds a tax only on personal income over $1 million – business taxes would not increase. The only individuals who will pay more, including business owners or shareholders, are those who earn more than $1 million in personal income in a single year, regardless of their business’ revenues or profits. Less than 3 percent of all business owners in Massachusetts have taxable personal income over $1 million that would be subject to the Fair Share Amendment. “These misleading ads against Question 1 make me sick. They make it seem like struggling small business owners would be affected, but you’d have to make over a million dollars in personal income to pay a penny more!” said Christopher Cuff, owner of Coffee Liberation Front in Adams . “Even if someone earns $2 million in one year, they’d only pay an extra $40,000: just 2 percent of their earnings that year. For someone making so much money, that’s a small price to pay for better schools and roads. The billionaires and multi-millionaires who would actually pay a lot more under Question 1 have gotten away without paying their fair share for years. Their misleading ads won’t work on me: I’m voting Yes on 1.” The endorsing businesses join more than 350 organizations and thousands of activists across the state who are working together to pass Question 1 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 as Question 1. “When you look at the facts, supporting Question 1 is common sense for small businesses like mine,” said Valery Joseph, owner of La Perle Restaurant in Everett . “Even if my business’ annual revenue was over $1 million, I wouldn’t pay more because Question 1 is a tax on personal income over $1 million, not a tax on businesses. In all the years I’ve been in business, I’ve never made a million dollars myself. Question 1 means better roads and schools, and a stronger economy, which is great for businesses like mine. And only the richest one percent will pay more.” The full list of endorsing businesses is below and can be found at https://www.fairsharema.com/local-businesses . 40 South St. Vintage, Boston Acorn Business Advisor, Grafton Adeline's Hair Salon, Everett All She Wrote Books, Somerville Almquist & Associates, Somerville Amalgamated Bank, Boston Amherst Books, Amherst Apex Noire, Boston Asamass Trading, Worcester Avest Home Repair and Painting, Cambridge Bedlam Book Cafe, Worcester Belltower Records, North Adams Boston Black News, Boston Bread + Roses Bookshop and Cafe, Hyannis Brewer Banner, New Bedford Brothers Kafe Kreyol, Everett Cafe Beirut, Jamaica Plain Cambridge Local First, Cambridge Cambridge Naturals, Cambridge Caravan Kitchen, Northampton Center Goods, Lexington Ceramica Paint Studio, Stoneham Chill Out First Class Limo Service Inc, Everett Chuck Talley Illustrations, New Bedford Coffee Liberation Front, Adams Democracy Brewing, Boston dNB Craft Kitchen, New Bedford Fairhaven Yacht, Fairhaven Fiore's Bakery, Jamaica Plain Flint Fruit and Variety, Fall River Foxtrot Farm LLC, Shelburne Greenfield Solar, Greenfield Hartley's Original Pork Pies, Fall River Henna Inspired, Malden Herrera's Mexican Grill, Boston Hope and Feathers Framing, Amherst House of Art and Craft, Boston Irving House at Harvard, Cambridge Katiejobelle’s Gifts, Randolph Katy Rogers Photography, Everett Kitchenwitch, Jamaica Plain KrafTea Kombucha, Worcester Kusiak Music, Arlington La Perle Restaurant, Everett Leise Jones Photography, Boston Mechanica, Newburyport Micky's Hair Design, Everett Montague Village Store, Montague Monumental Market, Jamaica Plain MVP Barber Shop, Jamaica Plain N.P. Hayes LLC, New Bedford Nadia Colburn: Align Your Story, Cambridge Neighborhood Produce, Somerville Nifty Nate's, Hyannis Odyssey Bookshop, South Hadley Panda's Playcare Family Childcare, Boston Papercuts Bookshop, Boston Peace Train Tees, Pittsfield Pikliz International Kitchen, Somerville Porter Square Books, Cambridge Punk Rock Aerobics, Boston Purveyor of the Unnecessary & the Irresistible, Boston Radio Concorde, Boston Red Sun Press, Boston Rosaline's Skin Care & Spa, Brookline Rosetta Languages, Malden Said & Done Tattoo, Jamaica Plain Sanctum Folklorica, New Bedford Simple Gifts Farm, Amherst Stand Up 8 Dance Studio, Malden Talk of the Town Barber, Fall River Teletronics Broadway, Everett The Island, Malden Tibari Travel, Everett Tipping Cow Ice Cream, Somerville TL6 The Gallery, New Bedford Tony's Barber Shop, Malden Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy, Malden 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 75businesses , 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 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

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< Back Yes on 1 Campaign Responds to New Report Showing Less Than 1 Percent of Seniors Will Pay Fair Share Tax ​ Oct 17, 2022 Analysis of IRS Data Shows Only a Tiny Percentage of Retirees Have Annual Taxable Income of More Than $1 Million BOSTON – A new report from the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, based on Massachusetts taxpayer data from the IRS, proves conclusively that less than 1 percent of seniors will pay more in taxes if Question 1 on the November ballot is approved by voters. The campaign working to pass Question 1, the proposed state tax on incomes above $1 million that would raise billions of dollars that are constitutionally dedicated to transportation and public education, released the following statement in response: “This report irrefutably confirms that the vast majority of Massachusetts seniors won’t pay a single cent more with Question 1,” said Fair Share for Massachusetts Campaign Manager Jeron Mariani . “Not when they take money from their retirement savings, and not when they sell their home. Only the richest 1 percent in our state will pay more, and we’ll all benefit from better roads and schools, for us and for future generations.” Last week, the Yes on 1 campaign launched a new TV ad featuring 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.” “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 Lippitt at the time. “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 Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center report found that: Only 0.8 percent of Massachusetts taxpayers aged 60 and older have an annual income of $1 million or more, high enough to be affected by Question 1. Less than 1 percent of Massachusetts tax filers receiving taxable distributions from individual retirement accounts had taxable income that totaled over $1 million. Just over half of one percent of Massachusetts tax filers with income from taxable pensions or annuities had taxable income that totaled over $1 million. Even seniors with high wealth generally have much lower annual incomes than their wealth. Question 1 only affects personal income over $1 million in a single year, not wealth held in a retirement account or other assets. Another recent report 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. 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 ; 62 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

< Back Climate reasons for supporting the Fair Share Amendment ELIZABETH MARCUS | CONRAD WILLEMAN | Newburyport May 6, 2022 Our greatest challenge in the 21st century is climate change mitigation... Climate reasons for supporting the Fair Share Amendment (Orginal / Source) Our greatest challenge in the 21st century is climate change mitigation. In Massachusetts the largest sector of greenhouses gas emissions (42%) is transportation. Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning fossil fuels in our cars, trucks, and heavy duty vehicles. The Fair Share Amendment will provide new revenue to allow substantial investment in transportation and public education in Massachusetts. These investments will make it easier for us to kick our fossil fuel dependence by providing safer options for pedestrians and cyclists as well as speedy, affordable, regular, reliable and convenient public transportation. It is estimated that the Fair Share Amendment will generate approximately $1.5 billion dollars in new revenue by taxing income (not assets) in excess of $1,000,000 per year at a rate of 4%. It is estimated that it will apply to only 0.5% of Massachusetts taxpayers. This group currently pays a lower portion of their income in state and local taxes than any other income group in the state. The Fair Share Amendment will be on the ballot in November 2022. We ask that the Newburyport City Council pass a municipal resolution supporting the Fair Share Amendment to the Massachusetts State Constitution. Previous Next