By William Tauro

Come on Somerville Salvation Army, you guys are better than this! This is the scene on Memorial Day 2020 at 10:00am Monday morning in front of that Salvation Army building that’s located on Somerville’s main roadway at 487 Broadway in Somerville. Continue reading Somerville Salvation Army You’re Better Than This →

By Bob Katzen
The House 149-7, approved and sent to the Senate a $1 billion-plus information technology bond titled “An Act Financing the General Governmental Infrastructure of the Commonwealth.” Continue reading $1 BILLION-PLUS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BOND →

By Bob Katzen

The House 138-18, approved a consolidated amendment adding $101 million to the cost of the $1 billion-plus information technology bond. Continue reading $101 MILLION CONSOLIDATED AMENDMENT →

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a bill that supporters say will provide additional unemployment insurance relief to low-income families, non-profit institutions and employers. Continue reading IMPROVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS →

By Bob Katzen

A payment that provides $1,000 to Massachusetts residents with a 1- or 2-person household earning up to $84,000 annually; 3-person household earning up to $105,000 annually; and 4 or more-person households earning up to $131,000 annually. Each household with a dependent would receive an additional $500 per dependent.

Continue reading ECONOMIC RELIEF →

By Bob Katzen

This Bill provides a stimulus check to taxpayers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number. Continue reading STIMULUS CHECKS TO IMMIGRANT TAXPAYERS →

By Bob Katzen

Bill (S 2586) – Exempts active duty military personnel from state income tax while based out of state.

“A military professional who spends a significant portion of their time serving our nation out of state should not be required to pay income tax for the time spent away from home on active duty,” said sponsor Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “This weighs disproportionately on military homeowners and their families, who already sacrifice so much to defend our country. Continue reading EXEMPT ACTIVE OUT-OF-STATE MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM STATE INCOME TAX →

By Bob Katzen

This Bill prevents all increases in rent until 30 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted. Local cities and towns would also have the power to freeze rents in their local communities. Continue reading FREEZE RENT →

By Bob Katzen

 Attorney General Maura Healey today announced enhanced resources to allow workers to easily report workplace safety concerns related to COVID-19 to her office. Workers can fill out an easy complaint form at https://www.mass.gov/forms/report-unsafe-working-conditions-during-covid-19 or they can call the dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. They have the option to file a complaint anonymously.
Continue reading REPORT WORKPLACE SAFETY CONCERNS →

The Somerville Shared Streets plan prioritizes creating routes that connect residents to critical services.

SOMERVILLE, MA – In late May, the City of Somerville will begin a Shared Streets pilot program in an effort to provide more walking and biking routes that allow for social distancing. Continue reading Somerville’s Shared Streets Pilot to Begin Next Month; Additional Measures Planned to Aid Contactless Pickup and Social Distancing →