Massachusetts Home of Representatives unanimously over price range, film tax credit score – Lowell Solar.

The Beacon Hill Appeal records the votes of local officials and senators on appeals during the week of April 26-30. All of the House's appeals relate to the house version of a state budget for fiscal year 2022 of $ 47.7 billion for fiscal year beginning July 1.

A LOOK BEHIND THE "DEBATTE" HOUSEHOLD SCENES

Most decisions about which amendments will or will not be budgeted by representatives are made “behind closed doors”. Or in the COVID-19 era “behind closed zoom meetings”. Of the 1,157 proposed budget changes, most have been bundled into consolidated “mega” changes. There were seven mega-amendments that year and all but one with only one vote against were passed unanimously. There is no real "debate" on the floor of the house. Everyone who spoke on any of the consolidated amendments was in favor of it.

The system works like this: individual representatives table amendments on different subjects, then all members direct their amendments to democratic leaders who prepare consolidated amendments that include some amendments from each representative while excluding others.

The categories of consolidated amendments cover around 16 issues, including programs related to public safety, justice, energy, the environment, housing, work and economic development.

Proponents of the system say that any representative who sponsored a ruled amendment can speak and request a vote on the amendment themselves. They say this system has worked well for many years.

Opponents say that a member seldom, if ever, puts their amendment to vote up or down because that is not how the game is played. It is an "expected tradition" for you to accept the fate of your amendment as determined by democratic leaders.

MEP Erika Uyterhoeven, D-Somerville, was the only member who voted against any of the consolidated amendments.

"It is worth noting that (my) no is the only non-unanimous vote for the entire House budget that shows the lack of transparency, public debate and public accountability in the House budget process," she said.

HOUSE APPROVES 47.7 BILLION FISCAL 2022 BUDGET

The House, 160-0, approved and submitted to the Senate a state budget for fiscal year 2022 of $ 47.7 billion for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The house added $ 59.8 million for three days. The house version is now going to the Senate, which will approve another version. A Senate Conference committee will eventually develop a plan that will be submitted to the House and Senate for consideration and submitted to the governor.

"This budget meets the needs of our residents who have experienced unprecedented levels of health and economic challenges over the past year," said House spokesman Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy. "The House continues to support the services and programs that have proven essential to so many and make targeted investments to strengthen the Massachusetts economy."

Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D-Gloucester, vice chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, said, "The economic development efforts and strong social service support Massachusetts' position to recover from the pandemic and continue to grow."

"Budgets are more than line items and spreadsheets," said Rep. Jack Lewis, D-Framingham, co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus, who welcomed the budget. “Budgets are promises to support all residents of the Commonwealth and to invest in our common future. This household budget embodies our community's deepest commitments by increasing conservation tax credits, increasing support for families living in deep poverty, and expanding funding for civil legal aid, emergency aid and public education. "

CONTINUE THE MOVIE TAX CREDIT

The House, 160-0, approved an amendment to indefinitely extend the film tax credit that expires in late 2022. According to the Massachusetts Film Office, the state offers filmmakers a package of tax incentives, including a 25% production credit, 25% wage credit, and sales tax exemption. Any project that spends more than $ 50,000 in Massachusetts is eligible for payroll. If you spend more than 50% of the total budget or shoot at least 50% of the major Bay State photo days, the project is eligible for production credit and sales tax exemption.

"Since the movies tax credit began in 2006, Massachusetts has poured $ 2.8 billion in economic development, stimulating many companies that were not here before and creating new job opportunities for thousands of people," the said Change sponsor, Rep. Tackey Chan, D-Quincy. "Given the pandemic in particular, it is important that the Commonwealth continue to be committed to the preservation, growth and continued investment in our local businesses."

EXTEND THE PRESERVATION TAX CREDIT

The House, 160-0, approved a change to expand the existing conservation area tax credit by increasing the annual cap for this program from $ 2 million to $ 5 million over a three-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2022 Million USD will remain in effect through December 31, 2031. This government tax credit provides an incentive for land of significant conservation value to be donated to public and private conservation agencies. The tax credit is 50% of the market value of the donated property up to a maximum credit of $ 75,000.

Proponents said the tax credit has already resulted in permanent protection of around 14,000 acres worth over $ 76.5 million. They noted that tax credits of up to a maximum of $ 2 million have already been allocated to 33 projects in 2021, which are designed to protect about 1,954 additional acres. They said 83 additional projects, representing an additional 1,482 acres of land, are on a waiting list, with some of the projects expected to wait until at least 2024 to receive the tax credit.

"The recent passage of the Roadmap 2050 bill recognized that naturally occurring carbon sequestration is a very important part of the state's ability to meet its short- and long-term goals for reducing carbon emissions," said Brad Jones, R-North, Reading Minority Chairman, sponsor of the amendment. "Increasing the annual cap on the tax credit program will help clear the backlog of current projects and deliver significant environmental benefits for the Commonwealth."

CONSOLIDATED CHANGE TO PUBLIC SECURITY AND THE COURT OF JUSTICE

House, 158-1, approved a $ 5.3 million consolidated amendment to fund public safety and justice programs. This is the only consolidated amendment that was not adopted unanimously.

"I am proud of the work we have done in the House of Representatives to meet the local security needs of our cities and towns," said Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-Springfield, chairman of the Public Security and Homeland Security Committee. "One of our key accomplishments is our commitment to process all untested evidence of sexual assault kits within 180 days of budget approval." This is an essential step in ensuring the justice owed to all these sexual assault survivors. "

"This amendment represents the values ​​of our community," said Rep. Michael Day, D-Stoneham, chairman of the judiciary committee. "These … investments are aimed at helping the marginalized protect our communities and continue our march to equal justice under the law for all of our residents."

"I voted no because this amendment increased funding for both the State Police and the Justice Department by $ 1 million and $ 500,000, respectively," said Uyterhoeven. “While there is good language for sexual assault testing and accountability for ICE, I cannot vote for an amendment that increases funding for institutions that commit overtime fraud or impose horrific living conditions on people in prison. At the very least, we need to increase accountability before we increase spending. It is worth noting that this no is the only non-unanimous vote for the entire budget of the House which shows the lack of transparency, public debate and public accountability in the budgetary process of the House. "

CONSOLIDATED CHANGE IN ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTAL OPPORTUNITIES AND HOUSING

The house, 159-0, approved a $ 7.3 million consolidated change that will fund energy, environmental and housing programs.

"Housing is central to the well-being of individuals and families across the Commonwealth," said James Arciero, D-Westford, chair of the Housing Committee's House Committee. “Massachusetts is a high cost state, and this affects the ability of our residents to obtain and retain decent, affordable housing. This budget provides historic funding for our housing programs as we prioritize this fundamental, basic need of our citizens. "

"The House has drawn a bold budget that matches our ambitions to fight climate change and create the Commonwealth's clean energy future," said Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, chairman of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee. “Climate science and policy are complex and require the measures set out in this budget to avoid what is essentially the most significant existential challenge of our time. It builds on the recently signed Climate Change Act, which increases our commitment to offshore wind in the Commonwealth to 5,600 megawatts. "

"Our prioritization of these key environmental programs will protect and preserve our natural resources and outdoor spaces and provide sustainable and resilient groundwork for the future," said Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, Chair of the House Committee of Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

CONSOLIDATED CHANGE IN LABOR AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

The House, 159-0, approved a $ 11.9 million consolidated amendment to fund labor and economic development programs.

"When these House budget items have a common thread, we're investing in our people," said Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, chairman of the Labor and Human Resources Committee. "Let's face it, we don't have the best weather, all year round sunshine, an abundance of gold, silver, or huge oil reserves. Our greatest resource as a community is our people. We all know that Massachusetts powers our skilled workforce. The house budget continues these investments in our workforce and builds on them to a considerable extent. "

“As we work our way out of this pandemic, it is critical that the Commonwealth play an important role in supporting the growth of our economy and making targeted investments in areas that will improve the lives of our citizens and help those hardest hit by the pandemic . including those in industries like hospitality and retail, ”said Rep. Jerry Parisella, D-Beverly, chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.