By William Tauro
Firefighters battled a three alarm fire this Saturday afternoon the 18th of March located at 34 Walker Street in Somerville at about 3:30 PM. Continue reading 34 Walker Street Somerville 3 Alarm Fire
Daily Archives: March 18, 2023
This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES on Beacon Hill
By Bob Katzen
“As we continue to experience the aftermath and trauma of senseless gun violence in our communities, we must utilize all available resources to stop these tragedies. My colleagues and I urge these credit companies not to cave to political pressure and to move forward with what will be an important resource in detecting, identifying and stopping potential threats to public safety.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES on Beacon Hill
RIGHT TO DIE/ASSISTED SUICIDE/END OF LIFE OPTIONS (S 1331)
By Bob Katzen
This bill, known by many names, would give a terminally ill, mentally capable adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live the option to request, obtain and ingest medication—to die in their sleep if their suffering becomes unbearable. It is currently before the Judiciary Committee.
Continue reading RIGHT TO DIE/ASSISTED SUICIDE/END OF LIFE OPTIONS (S 1331)
BAN DOXING (S 1116)
By Bob Katzen
Legislation before the Judiciary Committee would ban doxing which is the knowing release of private personal identifying information of a person, without their consent, with the intent to intimidate, harass or cause stalking, physical harm or serious property damage. Currently there is no state law that makes doxing a crime.
Continue reading BAN DOXING (S 1116)
BURY PETS WITH OWNERS (S 1310)
By Bob Katzen
A proposal before the Municipalities and Regional Government Committee would give cities and towns the right to give cemeteries the authority to allow the burial of people and their pets in the same location. Continue reading BURY PETS WITH OWNERS (S 1310)
BAN SALE OF FUR PRODUCTS (S 590)
By Bob Katzen
A bill before the Environment and Natural Resources Committee would make it illegal to sell a new manufactured fur product in Massachusetts and impose a fine between $500 and $5,000 per fur product for anyone convicted of the sale.
Continue reading BAN SALE OF FUR PRODUCTS (S 590)
SOME SENATORS WHO LIVE 50 MILES FROM THE STATEHOUSE ARE ELIGIBLE TO PAY A REDUCED OR NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX ON THEIR LEGISLATIVE SALARY
By Bob Katzen
Senators who live more than 50 miles from the Statehouse are eligible for a special federal tax break. A 1981 federal law allows them to write off a daily expense allowance when filing their federal income tax return. The complicated system determines a daily amount, ostensibly for meals, lodging and other expenses incurred in the course of their jobs, which can be deducted for every “legislative day.” Continue reading SOME SENATORS WHO LIVE 50 MILES FROM THE STATEHOUSE ARE ELIGIBLE TO PAY A REDUCED OR NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX ON THEIR LEGISLATIVE SALARY
EXTRA PAY FOR ALL 40 SENATORS
By Bob Katzen
All 40 senators receive an additional stipend, above the $73,655 base salary, for their positions in the Democratic and Republican leadership, as committee chairs, vice chairs and the ranking Republican on some committees. The stipend is increased or decreased every two years based on data from the BEA that measures the quarterly change in salaries and wages.
Continue reading EXTRA PAY FOR ALL 40 SENATORS
$73,655 BASE SALARY FOR ALL 40 SENATORS
By Bob Katzen
The new base salary for the 2023-2024 session for senators is $73,655—up $3,119 (4.4 percent) from the $70,536 base salary in the 2021-2022 session.