House unanimous on budget
Also OKs indefinite extension of film tax credit
Also OKs indefinite extension of film tax credit.
Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ and senators’ votes on roll calls from the week of April 26-30. All the House roll calls are on the House version of a $47.7 billion fiscal 2022 state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
A look behind the scenes of the budget ‘debate’
Most of the decisions on which representatives’ amendments are included or not included in the budget are made “behind closed doors.” Or in the COVID-19 era, “behind closed Zoom meetings.” Of the 1,157 budget amendments proposed, most of them were bundled into consolidated “mega” amendments. This year there were seven mega amendments and all but one, which had just one vote against it, were approved unanimously. There is no real “debate” on the House floor. Everyone who spoke on any of the consolidated amendments spoke in favor of them.
The system works as follows: Individual representatives file amendments on various topics then all members then pitch their amendments to Democratic leaders who draft consolidated amendments that include some of the individual representatives’ amendments while excluding others.
The categories of consolidated amendments include some 16 subjects including programs relating to public safety, judiciary energy, environmental affairs, housing, labor and economic development.
Supporters of the system say that any representative who sponsored an excluded amendment can bring it to the floor and ask for an up or down vote on the amendment itself. They say this system has worked well for many years.
Opponents say that rarely, if ever, does a member bring his or her amendment to the floor for an up or down vote because that is not the way the game is played. It is an “expected tradition” that you accept the fate of your amendment as determined by Democratic leaders.
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven, DSomerville, was the only member who voted against one of the consolidated amendments.
“It is worth noting that (my) ‘no’ vote is the only non-unanimous vote taken for the entire House budget, showing how little transparency, public debate and public accountability there is in the House budget process,” she said.
House approves $47.7 billion fiscal 2022 budget
The House, 160- 0, approved and sent to the Senate a $47.7 billion fiscal 2022 state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The House, over three days, added $59.8 million to the bill. The House version now goes to the Senate, which will approve a different version. A House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor.
“This budget meets the needs of our residents who have endured an unprecedented level of health and economic challenges over the past year,” said House Speaker Ronald Mariano, DQuincy. “The House continues to support the services and programs that have proven to be essential for so many, while making targeted investments to grow the Massachusetts economy.”
Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, D- Gloucester, vice chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, said, “The economic development measures and strong social service supports position Massachusetts to recover from the pandemic and continue growing.”
“Budgets are more than line items and spreadsheets” said Rep. Jack Lewis, D-Framingham, co-chair of the House Progressive Caucus, which hailed the budget. “Budgets are promises to support all the residents of the commonwealth and invest in our shared future. This House budget embodies the deepest commitments of our commonwealth by raising the Conservation Land Tax Credit, increasing support for families living in deep poverty and expanding funding to civil legal aid, emergency housing assistance and public education.”
Continue the film tax credit
The House, 160- 0, approved an amendment that would indefinitely extend the film tax credit, which is due to expire at the end of 2022. According to the Massachusetts Film Office, the state provides filmmakers with a package of tax incentives including a 25% production credit, a 25% payroll credit and a sales tax exemption. Any project that spends more than $50,000 in Massachusetts qualifies for the payroll credit. Spending more than 50% of the total budget or filming at least 50% of the principal photography days in the Bay State makes the project eligible for the production credit and the sales tax exemption.
“Since the inception of the film tax credit in 2006, $2.8 billion in economic development has flowed into Massachusetts, stimulating many businesses that previously were not here, and creating new employment opportunities for thousands of people,” said the amendment’s sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan, DQuincy. “It is essential, especially in light of the pandemic, that the commonwealth continues to champion job preservation, growth and continued investments in our local businesses.”
Expand Conservation Land Tax Credit
The House, 160- 0, approved an amendment that would expand the existing Conservation Land Tax Credit by raising the annual cap for this program from $2 million to $5 million over a three-year period, beginning Jan. 1, 2022. The increase would remain in place until Dec. 31, 2031. This state tax credit provides an incentive for land with significant conservation value to be donated to public and private conservation agencies. The tax credit is equal to 50% of the fair market value of the donated property, up to a maximum credit of $75,000.
Supporters explained that the tax credit has already resulted in the permanent protection of some 14,000 acres of land valued at over $76.5 million. They noted that for 2021, the maximum $2 million in tax credits has already been committed to 33 projects that will protect about 1,954 additional acres. They said that leaves 83 additional projects representing another 1,482 acres of land on a waiting list with some of the projects expected to be waiting until at least 2024 to receive the tax credit.
“The recent passage of the 2050 Roadmap bill recognized that naturally occurring carbon sequestration is a very important component of the state’s ability to reach its short- and long-term goals for reducing carbon emissions,” said House Minority Leader Brad Jones, RNorth Reading, the sponsor of the amendment. “Increasing the tax credit program’s annual cap will help to clear up the backlog of projects that are currently pending and will reap significant environmental benefits for the commonwealth.”
Consolidated amendment on public safety and judiciary
The House, 158-1, approved a $5.3 million consolidated amendment that funds public safety and judiciary programs. This is the only consolidated amendment that did not receive a unanimous vote.
“I am proud of the work we did in the House of Representative to provide for our cities and town’s local public safety needs,” said Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, DSpringfield, the House chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. “Chief among our accomplishments is our commitment to process all untested sexual assault evidence kits within 180 days of the budget’s passage. This is an essential step toward providing the justice that all of these survivors of sexual assault are owed.”
“This amendment represents the values of our commonwealth,” said Rep. Michael Day, D-Stoneham, the House chair of the Committee on the Judiciary. “These … investments seek to help the marginalized, keep our communities safe and continue our march towards equal justice under the law, for all our residents.”
“I voted no because this amendment increased both funding for the State Police and the Department of Corrections by $1 million and $500,000 respectively,” Uyterhoeven said. “While there is good language on sexual assault evidence kit testing and spending accountability on ICE, I cannot vote for an amendment that increases funding to institutions that commit overtime fraud or force horrific living conditions on incarcerated people. At the very least, we must increase accountability before increasing spending. It is worth noting that this ‘no’ vote is the only non-unanimous vote taken for the entire House budget, showing how little transparency, public debate, and public accountability there is in the House budget process.”
Consolidated amendment on energy, environmental affairs and housing
The House, 159- 0, approved a $7.3 million consolidated amendment that funds energy, environmental affairs and housing programs.
“Housing is central to the well-being of individuals and families across the commonwealth,” said James Arciero, DWestford, House chair of the Housing Committee. “Massachusetts is a high-cost state and this impacts the ability of our residents to gain and retain decent affordable housing. This budget provides historic funding for our housing programs as we prioritize this basic, fundamental need of our citizens.”
“The House has crafted a bold budget that matches our ambitions in the fight against climate change and for the commonwealth’s clean energy future,” said Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, House chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “Climate science and policy is complicated and demands the actions articulated in this budget to avoid what is essentially the most significant existential challenge of our time. It builds on the recently signed climate bill, which increases our commitment to offshore wind in the commonwealth to 5600 megawatts.”
“Our prioritization of these essential environmental programs will protect and preserve our natural resources and outdoor spaces, as well as set a sustainable and resilient course for the future,” said Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, House chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.
Consolidated amendment on labor and economic development
The House, 159- 0, approved an $11.9 million consolidated amendment that funds labor and economic development programs.
“If there is a common thread in these House budget line items, it is that we are investing in our people,” said Rep. Josh Cutler, DDuxbury, House chair of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “Let’s face it, we don’t have the best weather, year-round sunshine, an abundance of gold, silver or vast oil reserves. Our greatest resource as a commonwealth is our people. We all know that what powers Massachusetts is our skilled workforce. The House budget continues these investments in our workforce and builds on them in significant ways.”
“As we work our way out of this pandemic it is critical that the commonwealth play a vital role in supporting the growth of our economy and make targeted investments in areas that will improve the lives of our citizens and help those hardest hit by the pandemic, including those working in industries such as hospitality and retail,” said Rep. Jerry Parisella, D-Beverly, House chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.