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Here’s what’s in the tax relief bill Healey signed into law

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

Gov. Maura Healey signed a $1 billion-a-year tax relief bill that advocates argue is the most significant tax reform in Massachusetts in more than two decades.The law will cost the state $561 million in fiscal year 2023 and $1 billion a year starting in fiscal year 2027. It includes cuts to the short-term capital gains tax and boosts to multiple housing-related initiatives like the rental dedication.Lawmakers worked in changes to a range of tax credits to the law. Here’s what’s in the new law.Rental DeductionThe rental deduction cap was increased from $3,000 to $4,000, a change lawmakers said would help roughly 800,000 renters across the state as prices increase.Children and DependentsLawmakers increased the tax credit for a dependent child, disabled adult, or senior from $180 to $310 for the 2023 tax year, and then to $440 in tax year 2024 and beyond. The child and dependent cap was eliminated.“This expanded credit, which will benefit more than 565,000 families, w...

New head of Massachusetts Municipal Association views shelter crisis as top priority

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

The new executive director of the association representing cities and towns across Massachusetts said an influx of migrants and the need to provide them emergency shelter is one of the most pressing issues facing municipalities.A month into the role, Massachusetts Municipal Association Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine said creating a conduit between the Healey administration and local officials to find locations to prop up the state’s emergency shelter system is one his top priorities.As migrants arrive in Massachusetts, the Healey administration has turned to a net of hotels and motels to expand emergency shelter capacity beyond the already full traditional sites. Municipal officials have expressed frustration with what they say is oftentimes last minute communication from state officials.But Chapdelaine said he has helped set up bi-weekly virtual briefings for municipal officials, shared local leaders’ contact information with state officials, and tried to stay in close touch w...

Boston College QB Castellanos rushes for four TDs in a win at Army

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

Quarterback Thomas Castellanos scored his fourth rushing touchdown with 25 seconds remaining to lift Boston College to a 27-24 victory over Army on a stormy Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.BC improved to 3-3 and enters the bye week with two straight victories and first on the road. BC resumes ACC play at Georgia Tech on Oct. 21.Castellanos, a sophomore transfer from Central Florida, carried the ball 31 times for 142 yards behind a committed offensive line that maintained its discipline despite the adverse weather conditions.Army quarterback Bryson Dailey rushed for 99 yards and threw for 105 more and a touchdown. BC outgained Army 299-161 in rushing yards and had 19 first downs to 12 for the Cadets.“This is a hard team to game plan for, it is very different and then the rain made us both one-dimensional running the football,” said BC coach Jeff Hafley. “We shrunk the game plan and we dummied it down to play fast and stay on our assignments and our players made plays.”The BC def...

2 people transported to hospital due to fire in Rosedale

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

Two people have been transported to hospital after a fire in the Yonge and Church Streets area of Rosedale on Saturday.Police responded to reports at approximately 3:13 p.m. of a fire on the 12th floor of a building. An e-bike reportedly caught on fire.On scene two adult patients were assessed on for smoke inhalation before being transported to hospital with minor injuries.Police remain on scene as Yonge Street is closed in both directions from Aylmer Avenue to Davenport Road.

California governor vetoes bill that would have banned caste discrimination

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Saturday that would have made California the first U.S. state to outlaw caste-based discrimination.Caste is a division of people related to birth or descent. Those at the lowest strata of the caste system, known as Dalits, have been pushing for legal protections in California and beyond. They say it is necessary to protect them from bias in housing, education and in the tech sector — where they hold key roles.Earlier this year, Seattle became the first U.S. city to add caste to its anti-discrimination laws. On Sept. 28, Fresno became the second U.S. city and the first in California to prohibit discrimination based on caste by adding caste and indigeneity to its municipal code.In his message Newsom called the bill “unnecessary,” explaining that California “already prohibits discrimination based on sex , race, color , religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics, and s...

Judge’s order cancels event that would have blocked sole entrance to a Kansas abortion clinic

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A demonstration planned by a Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas that would have blocked the only entrance to a Wichita abortion clinic on Saturday was canceled after a judge put a hold on the city permit that would have allowed it. Earlier this year, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita was granted a permit through the city’s Parks and Recreation and police departments to close the street in front of the Trust Women clinic, the Wichita Eagle reported. The diocese had planned to hold a “Mass for Life” demonstration Saturday morning that would have blocked the entrance to the clinic while leaving open the entrance to another clinic on the street that seeks to dissuade people from getting abortions. A judge on Friday granted a request for a temporary restraining order until the Wichita City Council holds a hearing to address objections to the street closure from the Trust Women clinic and another nearby business. The clinic is normally closed for business on Saturda...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes bill that would have decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at decriminalizing the possession and personal use of several hallucinogens, including psychedelic mushrooms.The legislation vetoed Saturday would have allowed those 21 and older to possess psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component in what’s known as psychedelic mushrooms. It also would have covered dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and mescaline.The bill would not have legalized the sale of the substances and would have barred any possession of the substances on school grounds. Instead, it would have ensured people are neither arrested nor prosecuted for possessing limited amounts of plant-based hallucinogens.Newsom, a Democrat who championed legalizing cannabis in 2016, said in a statement Saturday that more needs to be done before California decriminalizes the hallucinogens.“California should immediately begin work to set up regulated treatment guidelines – replete with dosing information, therapeuti...

New York City mayor wraps up Latin America trip with call for ‘right to work’ for migrants in US

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

NECOCLI, Colombia (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams capped off a four-day trip to Latin America on Saturday by calling for a “right to work” for migrants in the United States.He spoke during a visit to Necocli, the northern Colombia town where thousands of migrants start the perilous trek across the roadless Darien jungle into Panama, as they head for the U.S.Speaking from a dock where migrants take boats toward the jungle, Adams said countries in the region need to “come together” to find solutions to the immigration crisis being felt across the Americas as well as in cities in the United States, including New York.He called on the U.S goverment to find pathways for migrants and asylum seekers to work legally in the United States.“When you look at Colombia they have really shown how to absorb individuals into their societies, and one of the most important ways to do it is to allow people to work,” Adams told reporters in Necocli. “Nothing is more humane and, nothing is more Ame...

Boomer Sooner: Gabriel throws late TD pass as No. 12 Oklahoma beats No. 3 Texas in Red River rivalry

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Dillon Gabriel threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds left and 12th-ranked Oklahoma won a battle of unbeatens 34-30 over No. 3 Texas on Saturday in their last Red River rivalry game as Big 12 members before moving to the Southeastern Conference.With the SEC Commissioner in attendance, but not the Big 12’s, the Sooners and Longhorns played a classic that must have made Greg Sankey thrilled with his new acquisitions.The pocket was collapsing around Gabriel when he threw the game-winner for the Sooners (6-0, 3-0 Big 12), to Anderson in the back of the end zone. Gabriel completed 23 of 38 passes for 285 yards and ran 14 times for 113 yards and a score. The left-handed quarterback had missed the Sooners’ 49-0 loss in last year’s game because of a concussion. Texas (5-1, 2-1) had erased a 10-point deficit and taken a 30-27 lead on Bert Auburn’s third field goal, a 45-yarder with 1:17 left. The Sooners then went 75 yards in five ...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law requiring big businesses to disclose emissions

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:39:53 GMT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Large businesses in California will have to disclose a wide range of planet-warming emissions under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Saturday — the most sweeping mandate of its kind in the nation.The law requires more than 5,300 companies that operate in California and make more than $1 billion in annual revenues to report both their direct and indirect emissions. That includes things like emissions from operating a building or store as well as those from activities like employee business travel and transporting their products.The law will bring more transparency to the public about how big businesses contribute to climate change, and it could nudge them to evaluate how they can reduce their emissions, advocates say. They argue many businesses already disclose some of their emissions to the state.But the California Chamber of Commerce, agricultural groups and oil giants that oppose the law say it will create new mandates for companies that don’t hav...