MCAE advocates for other issues and budget priorities that affect the ABE community.
An Act to Protect the Civil Rights & Safety of All Massachusetts Residents
HD.1165/SD.532
Click here for info and fact sheets on the Safe Communities Act in multiple languages
Take action now to support the Safe Communities Act
This legislation, also known as the “Safe Communities Act,” protects the fundamental right to due process by requiring police to obtain an individual’s consent, in writing, before he or she is questioned by Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE). It also prohibits state and county officials from acting as federal immigration agents at the expense of Massachusetts’ taxpayers (under so-called “287(g) agreements”). What’s more, it bars police officers and court personnel from asking people about their immigration status unless required by law, further helping to allay fears that interaction with law enforcement will lead to separation from family members.
Take action now to support the Fair Share Amendment
This measure proposes an amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution to create a tax of 4 percent on incomes over $1 million and to dedicate the funds generated by the tax to education and transportation purposes. It was approved by the Legislature during the 2019-2020 session, and now needs to be re-approved again during the 2021-2022 session and then put before the voters of Massachusetts via the November 2022 ballot in order to become part of the Constitution.
An Act Improving the Earned Income Credit for Healthier Families
This legislation would increase Massachusetts’ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 30 percent to 50 percent of the value of the federal EITC, in order to reward work, increase mobility, reduce inequality, and improve children’s health. In addition, the bill would enable people who use an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to file their taxes to receive the Massachusetts EITC, provided they are otherwise eligible for the credit, and would require the Department of Revenue to conduct an outreach campaign to ensure that no one who is eligible for the EITC fails to claim it.
An Act Relative to Affordable & Accessible High-Quality Early Education & Care
(HD.1960/SD.1307)
Download the Common Start fact sheet
Learn more about the Common Start legislation here
This legislation seeks to ensure that every family in Massachusetts has access to affordable, high-quality early education and child care, including care during non-standard work hours and that the women and men who provide early education and care receive appropriate compensation and professional development opportunities.
Higher Education Equity Act
This legislation would make undocumented students who meet certain residency requirements eligible for in-state tuition at state colleges.
Agreement Reached by Mass. Legislature to Pass Emergency Paid Sick Time!
This legislation would provide ten additional work-days (80 hours) of job-protected paid sick time for immediate use during the COVID-19 outbreak. This Emergency Paid Sick Time would be available to employees not covered by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)’s paid sick time provisions. The legislation also creates a COVID-19 emergency paid leave time fund with an initial deposit of $55 million. This would provide a level of financial protection for front-line and low-wage workers who need to care for themselves or family workers due to COVID.
An Act to Guarantee Housing Stability During the COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery
Related to the temporary Moratorium on Evictions and Foreclosures legislation that was signed in April 2020 and expired in October 2020; which halted stages of eviction or foreclosure for tenants affected by COVID-19 . This bill would extend these protections for 12 months after the COVID-19 state of emergency is rescinded. These protections are important for ABE students who are among vulnerable populations and front-line workers more likely to be directly affected by COVID-19.
An Act Relative to Restoring Corporate Tax Rates (HD.1020/SD.428)
An Act to Close Corporate Tax Loopholes and Create Progressive Revenue (HD.452/SD.173)
Take action now to support progressive revenue
This legislation would raise progressive revenue to avoid budget cuts, avoid prolonging a recession, and reduce racial inequality. Would increase state revenue by:
- Increasing the tax rate on corporate profits from 8.0% to 9.5%.
- Increasing the tax rate on GILTI (Global Intangible Low Taxed Income) multinational corporations that do business in MA by identifying income shifted overseas and allowing the state to tax a portion of it.
MCAE is an active member of the following coalitions and supports their budget and policy priorities: