Representative Michael Soter Appointed To Tax Relief Conference Committee

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Michael J. Soter (R-Bellingham) to a six-member Conference Committee that will review the House and Senate’s competing tax relief proposals.

As a member of the Conference Committee, Representative Soter will work with his colleagues to try to resolve the differences between the $1.1 billion House tax relief package, which was approved on April 13 as House Bill 3770, and the Senate’s $594 million proposal, which was passed on June 15 as Senate Bill 2406. While both bills contain some similar tax relief provisions, there are also several significant differences that need to be resolved before a final bill can be sent to Governor Maura Healey for her signature.

Joining Representative Soter on the Conference Committee are House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Revenue Committee House Chairman Mark Cusack (D-Braintree), Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues (D-Westport), Revenue Committee Senate Vice Chairwoman Susan Moran (D-Falmouth), and Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).

“Passing a wide-ranging tax relief bill is critical to ensuring that Massachusetts remains competitive while also addressing concerns about the state’s affordability,” said Representative Jones. “As someone who has run a successful business, Mike understands the importance of promoting a favorable business climate and creating an environment where individuals can afford to live and raise a family. I am confident he will work with his fellow conferees to reach consensus on a broad tax relief package that will assist as many residents and employers as possible.”

Both the House and Senate bills call for increasing the rent deduction cap, the base credit on the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, and the state match on the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. The two bills also recommend raising the estate tax threshold from $1 million to $2 million but take different approaches to doing so while also disagreeing on how much to increase the child and dependent tax credit.

Conferees must also determine whether to retain the House’s proposed reduction in short-term capital gains taxes and the adoption of a single sales factor apportionment for all corporate excise taxes, as well as the Senate’s proposals to increase the low-income housing tax credit cap and the statewide cap on the Housing Development Incentive Program.

In addition to his new Conference Committee assignment, Representative Soter also serves as a member of the state’s Tax Expenditure Review Commission. Created in 2018, the commission is responsible for reviewing state tax policy, determining the fiscal impact of specific tax expenditures, and recommending changes as needed to the Legislature.

A former member of the Bellingham Board of Selectmen, Representative Soter was first elected to the House of Representatives in November of 2018. He represents the Eighth Worcester District, which is comprised of the towns of Bellingham, Medway (Precinct 1), Blackstone, Millville, and Uxbridge (Precincts 1A, 2, 3, and 4).

Celebrating Juneteenth Independence Day

Today the House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere to celebrate Juneteenth Independence Day. The holiday’s origins can be traced to June 19, 1865 when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War was over and America’s last remaining slaves were free, thanks to President Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation more than two years earlier, on January 1, 1863.

Massachusetts’ governors have commemorated June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day since 2007 with an annual proclamation recognizing “the significant contributions individuals of African descent have made to the Commonwealth and to the United States.” In July of 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed and former Governor Charlie Baker signed into law language in a supplemental budget declaring Juneteenth an official state holiday, which Baker noted would help “to recognize the continued need to ensure racial freedom and equality.” In June of 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation making Juneteenth Independence Day a national holiday.

Boston Globe Op-Ed: High Taxes Are Driving People Out Of Massachusetts

Today’s Boston Globe features an op-ed piece from House Minority Leader Brad Jones and Ross Connolly, the regional director for New England at Americans for Prosperity, that focuses on the need for tax reforms to stem the exodus of residents who are leaving Massachusetts for more affordable states. Governor Maura Healey has talked about making Massachusetts more competitive, and this op-ed makes the case for achieving that worthy goal by implementing common-sense tax reforms such as increasing the estate tax threshold and preserving the voter-approved Chapter 62F law.  

With the Massachusetts House having passed a tax relief package in April and the Senate expected to unveil its own tax proposal in “the next two weeks,” the issue of tax reform could not be timelier. Be sure to check out the op-ed here.

Memorial Day: Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers

Throughout our nation’s history, many have answered the call to serve. Today, we remember and honor those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our many freedoms, including the 37,369 individuals who called Massachusetts home. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. 

Representative Marcus Vaughn Named To Gaming Policy Advisory Committee

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham) to serve on the state’s GamingPolicy Advisory Committee (GPAC).

The GPAC was established as part of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act, which legalized gaming in Massachusetts by authorizing the establishment of up to three resort casinos and one slot machine facility. The 14-member board advises the MassachusettsGaming Commission on gaming policy issues, particularly as it relates to community mitigation funding, addiction services for compulsive gambling, and the public safety impacts associated with the state’s gaming establishments.

Representative Vaughn’s appointment comes at a time of rapid growth within the state’s gaming industry. On January 31, MGM Springfield in Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville began offering sports betting, with online sports betting launching on March 10. Massachusetts residents placed a total of $568 million in sports bets in March, with more than three-fourths of those bets placed through the DraftKings and FanDuel apps.

“As the Commonwealth’s gaming industry continues to expand with the introduction of online sports betting, it is important that proper safeguards are in place to regulate the industry and protect consumers,” said Representative Jones. “I am confident that Marcus will help the Commonwealth continue to navigate through the evolving gaming landscape in a way that encourages responsible growth within the industry.”

For the 2023-2024 legislative session, Representative Vaughn is serving as the Ranking Minority Member of both the House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Security and the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. He is also a member of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Representative Vaughn is currently serving his first term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represents the 9^th Norfolk District, which consists of Precincts 3 and 4 in Medfield; Precinct 1in Millis; Precinct 5 in Walpole; and the towns of Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” – the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Letter from Birmingham, Alabama jail, April 16, 1963

Throughout his lifetime, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached the importance of non-violent civil disobedience to achieve positive change in society. Today, the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus honors the life and legacy of Dr. King and his tireless advocacy to ensure equal justice for all Americans.

State Representative Brad Jones Re-Elected As Minority Leader For 2023-2024 Session

Representative Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has been re-elected by his Republican colleagues to serve as the Minority Leader of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Jones was chosen by a unanimous vote to lead the House Republican Caucus for the 2023-2024 legislative session. The vote took place on January 4, which also marked the first day of the 193^rd biennial session.

“I am truly grateful to receive my colleagues’ vote of confidence to continue leading the caucus over the next two years,” said Jones. “Having the support of both the new and returning members means a lot to me as we prepare to tackle the many challenges facing the Commonwealth and its residents.”

In his inaugural speech to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Jones noted that “our top priorities must be a stronger economic recovery, maintaining our focused fiscal responsibility, and transforming the way we operate as a government and provide services to our citizens.”

“While our economy is no doubt stronger than it was two years ago, none of us can or should be satisfied that it is as strong as it should be,” said Jones. “Many of our fellow citizens remain out of work or underemployed. No one in our Commonwealth should believe that their children’s future will not be a little brighter or a little better than theirs was. It falls to each one of us individually and collectively to make this happen.”

Jones noted that Massachusetts has benefited from a strong economy that has helped grow the state’s rainy day fund to historic levels, eliminated the Commonwealth’s structural deficit and allowed the Legislature to make “meaningful targeted increased investments in a wide variety of essential areas.” But he also highlighted the Legislature’s obligation to “prepare for the future by building our reserves even further” while also delivering meaningful tax relief to the Commonwealth’s residents.

“Going forward, we need to revisit the targeted tax relief both the House and Senate passed last session but failed to finalize,” Jones said. “Fortunately, the incoming Governor supported those efforts and has identified tax relief like the kind we passed as her number one priority on day one and we agree.”

During his remarks, Jones thanked the residents of the Twentieth Middlesex District, saying “it is an honor and privilege to represent the citizens of Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield and Middleton and I look forward to continuing to work on their behalf.”

Jones also offered congratulations to House Speaker Ronald Mariano on his re-election, expressing his “hope that we can find common ground in the year ahead to ensure that the critical needs of the residents of the Commonwealth are addressed.”

A lifelong North Reading resident, Jones has continued to maintain a perfect voting record while serving in the House of Representatives. He has never missed a roll call and has now cast 7,835 consecutive votes as a member of the House.

'A Date Which Will Live In Infamy'

It was 81 years ago today that the US naval base at Pearl Harbor came under attack, precipitating the United States’ entry into World War II. On December 7, 1941 – which President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed would long be remembered as “a date which will live in infamy” – 2,403 American service members and civilians were killed, and another 1,178 injured. 

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, the House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere in honoring the memories of those who perished on that fateful Sunday morning more than eight decades ago. Their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The Capitol View wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving! As we gather to celebrate and count our blessings, let us not forget the men and women of our armed forces who are serving overseas and will not be home to spend the holidays with their families and friends. The members of the House Republican Caucus are forever grateful for their service to our nation.

Veterans Day 2022: Honoring All Who Served

“The willingness of our citizens to give freely and unselfishly of themselves, even their lives, in defense of our democratic principles, gives this great Nation continued strength and vitality.” – President Ronald Reagan, in his 1981 Veterans Day Proclamation

The Massachusetts House Republican Caucus joins with Americans everywhere today to salute our veterans for their service on behalf of our Commonwealth and our nation. Our veterans’ commitment to defending the many freedoms we hold dear should be acknowledged and appreciated, not only today, but every day.