Massachusetts Priority Legislation: 2023-2024 Session

EMPath plays a leadership role in many of the coalitions that are moving these bills forward.

Cash Assistance

An Act to Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty (H144/S75)
Sponsors: Rep. Decker, Sen. DiDomenico
Coalition: Lift Our Kids Coalition
Also one of EMPath’s FY24 budget priorities

Increases cash assistance grants for Transitional Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) by 25% a year until they reach 50% of the Federal Poverty Level (“Deep Poverty”). Raises grants each year to keep up with inflation.

Affordable, Accessible Child Care

An Act Providing Affordable and Accessible High Quality Early Education and Care to Promote Child Development and Well-being and Support the Economy (H489/S301)
Sponsors: Rep. Madaro, Rep. Gordon, Sen. Lewis, Sen. Moran
Coalition: Common Start Coalition

Establishes a system of affordable, high-quality early education and care for all children from birth through age 5 as well as after- and out-of-school time for children ages 5-12, and for children with special needs through age 15. These changes are critical to building a more equitable and just Massachusetts.

Language Access

An Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion (H3084/S1990)
Sponsors: Rep. Madaro, Rep. González, Sen. DiDomenico
Coalition: Mass Speaks Coalition

Requires public-facing state agencies to meet the language access needs of a diverse population by standardizing and enforcing language access protocols and practices.

Basic Needs for Immigrants

An Act Establishing Basic Needs Assistance for Massachusetts Immigrant Residents (H135/S76)
Sponsors: Rep. Cabral, Rep. Garcia, Sen. DiDomenico
Coalition: Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition
Also one of EMPath’s FY24 budget priorities

Provides state-funded food and cash assistance to legally present immigrants who are currently federally ineligible to receive support. Right now, many legal permanent residents have to wait five years before accessing public benefits, and many immigrants aren’t able to access them at all.

Expanded Tax Credits

An Act Establishing a Child and Family Tax Credit (H2761/S1792)
Sponsors: Rep. Decker, Sen. DiDomenico
An Act to Increase Family Stabilization Through the Earned Income Tax Credit (H2762/S1793)
Sponsors: Rep. Decker, Sen. DiDomenico
An Act to Reduce Poverty by Expanding the EITC and the Child and Family Tax Credit (S1798)
Sponsor: Sen. Eldridge
Coalition: Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition
Increasing the ETIC is also one of EMPath’s FY24 budget priorities

Increases the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by 20% and expands access to immigrants who pay taxes with Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITINs) but currently do not qualify for the EITC. Combines current credits to create a new Child and Family Tax Credit (CFTC), which provides more support to families.

FY24 Massachusetts Budget Priorities

• $250 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) (7004-9024)
  
  Maintain the 9,000-plus vouchers in use and increase the number of vouchers available to provide families safe and affordable housing. Keep language that requires tenant rent share at 30% of income. EMPath also supports the corresponding bills (H1351/S888) to codify the program and make improvements.

• $250 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program (7004-9316)
  
  Provide support for back rent and utility payments, first and last month's rent, security deposits, and transportation so that families avoid eviction. Remove the notice to quit requirement and the flat benefit cap. Streamline the application process and continue to mandate detailed tracking and reporting. EMPath also supports the corresponding bills (H1312/S856) to codify the program and make improvements.

• Raise cash grants by 25% in the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) program (4403-2000) and the Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled and Children program (EAEDC) (4408-1000)
  
  Lift kids out of deep poverty by raising cash assistance grants by 25%. While grants have been increased incrementally over the past several years, they are still far below the “Deep Poverty Level” (half the Federal Poverty Level) and are not tied to inflation. Also one of EMPath’s 2023-2024 legislative priorities.

• $40 million to restore basic benefits for MA immigrant residents (new line item)
  
  Provide food and cash assistance to legally present immigrants who are currently federally ineligible to receive support. Right now, many legal permanent residents have to wait five years before accessing public benefits, and many immigrants aren’t able to access them at all. Also one of EMPath’s 2023-2024 legislative priorities.

• $5.025 million for the Secure Jobs Initiative (4400-1020) (level funding)
  
  Help families experiencing homelessness access stable jobs in order to move closer to economic stability. This initiative bridges the critical gap between housing and workforce development services.

• $17 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund (7002-1075)
  
  Fund training opportunities for low-income single parents to access jobs leading to economic stability. Continue to incorporate Learn to Earn elements, which help families receiving public benefits manage the cliff effect and access and maintain employment.

• Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) state match to 50% of the federal credit and expand it to immigrants who file taxes using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN)
  
  Support low-income working families by bolstering their incomes via the EITC, including immigrant families who are working and paying taxes but are currently excluded from accessing the credit. Also one of EMPath’s 2023-2024 legislative priorities.