This spring, the Massachusetts House and Senate will be voting on their budgets for the next fiscal year, and it’s critical that they make sure to complete and protect last year’s victories when doing so.
What does that mean?
First, that means protecting last year’s win on the ballot for the Fair Share Amendment. Voters were clear about wanting the rich to pay their fair share and for us to invest in our public education and infrastructure. However, Governor Healey’s proposed budget would give away almost as much in tax cuts as is estimated to be raised by Fair Share, undermining the hard work that went into that campaign. In particular, almost $400 million of her tax package consists of regressive tax cuts that will go to speculators and major estates. We need to make sure to protect the revenue we raised so that we can realize the vision of better schools, better roads, and better transit for all.
Second, last summer the MA House and MA Senate both included language from the No Cost Calls bill in their budgets, but a veto from Governor Baker doomed its fate. The Legislature needs to complete the No Cost Calls win by including language to permanently guarantee that neither state nor county prisons or jails will continue the predatory practice of charging incarcerated individuals and their loved ones for phone calls.
Progressive Massachusetts Western Norfolk County, in partnership with Young Democrats of Neponset Valley, celebrated last year’s election results on March 28, 2023. A crowd of over 60 people attended the celebration at 7th Wave Brewery in Medfield, including State Senator Becca Rausch, State Representative Jeff Roy, and State Representative Ted Phillips. The two 2022 candidates for State Representative, 9th Norfolk District–Kevin Kalkut and Steve Teehan–also attended.
Senator Rausch spoke about affordable health care, affordable child care, and the power of the ballot box, while Representative Jeff Roy spoke about environmental justice and green energy. The chapter also recognized the efforts of Justin Bates and Bonnie Taylor. Justin served as Becca Rausch’s 2022 Campaign Manager, where Becca received an impressive 55% of the vote. Bonnie was Campaign Manager for Kevin Kalkut, who came within 360 votes of flipping the 9th Norfolk District to the Democrats for the first time in over 30 years.
7th Wave Brewery is committed to brewing great craft beer with local ingredients, reducing their footprint, and giving back to their community. Their massive 500-kilowatt solar array provides 200% of the brewery’s electric needs, putting them at the forefront of sustainable breweries and supporting the local clean energy economy.