By Bob Katzen

“Through the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF), we are proud to invest in the places that make arts and culture accessible across Massachusetts. These projects strengthen local economies, preserve our shared heritage and ensure that residents and visitors alike can experience the full richness of our cultural sector for years to come.”
—David Slatery, Acting Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, announcing that 97 nonprofit and municipal cultural facilities will receive a total of $8.6 million through the most recent CFF grants.
Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL →

By Bob Katzen

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced a $7.8 million settlement with American First Finance (AFF) resolving allegations that the company used unfair and deceptive business practices to mislead consumers with expensive lease-to-own contracts. The settlement requires AFF to pay $2 million to the state which will then distribute it to impacted customers as restitution. The settlement also includes nearly $5.8 million in credits to existing consumer accounts.
Continue reading AG CAMPBELL ANNOUNCES $7.8 MILLION SETTLEMENT →

By Bob Katzen

Yet another bill that was heard by the Revenue Committee was one that supporters say would ensure that seniors are allowed to take the Seniors Circuit Breaker Discount even if they take advantage of a senior property tax deferral.
Continue reading ENSURE SENIORS QUALIFY FOR SENIOR CIRCUIT BREAKER DISCOUNT (H 5298) →

By Bob Katzen

Another proposal before the Revenue Committee would create a special commission to examine and study the distribution of Lottery revenues to cities and towns. The commission would examine the current distribution of Lottery revenues and provide recommendations to improve distributional equity of those revenues.
Continue reading STUDY THE DISTRIBUTION OF LOTTERY REVENUE (H 5160) →

By Bob Katzen

The Revenue Committee held a hearing on legislation that supporters say would encourage the purchase of heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles (classes 3 through 8) – if purchased before January 1, 2035.
Continue reading ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES (S 2694) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would require any agency, organization or other entity receiving public funds for the purpose of providing legal representation in matters involving federal immigration law, to develop and implement mechanisms to ensure that no funds are provided to help an individual not lawfully present in the United States.
Continue reading VERIFY THAT AID RECIPIENTS ARE IN THE COUNTRY LEGALLY (S 3072) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 7-32, rejected an amendment to a section of the bill that allows a law enforcement official to request information about a person’s citizenship or immigration status when the officer has an articulable, case-specific reason to believe the person’s citizenship or immigration status is directly material to a list of specific criminal offenses the person has committed. The amendment would allow more criminal offenses to be considered.
Continue reading INCLUDE ALL CRIMINAL OFFENSES (S 3072) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would strike a section of the bill that provides that any payments made by the federal government to reimburse the Department of Correction for costs associated with executing its responsibilities, must be transferred to and then distributed by the Office for Refugees and Immigrants to designated non-profit organizations which would use the funds to increase access to legal representation for immigrants and refugees in the state.
Continue reading GIVE FEDERAL MONEY TO SHERIFFS AND CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT (S 3072) →