Taking Care Of Our Seniors And Veterans

Massachusetts should be a place where residents can afford to remain in the communities they have called home for decades. As property taxes, housing costs, utilities, transportation, and other everyday expenses continue to rise, too many seniors living on fixed incomes are being forced to make difficult financial decisions. We should provide meaningful tax relief, support seniors who want to age in place, and give cities and towns additional tools to help residents experiencing financial hardship. I have filed legislation on the following priorities. 

Provide property tax relief for seniors. Rising property values should not force longtime residents out of their homes. Cities and towns should have the option to cap property taxes for qualifying low-income seniors, and Massachusetts should expand existing senior property tax exemptions so that more residents can receive meaningful relief.

Allow seniors to defer property taxes and remain in their homes. Seniors should not have to sell their homes simply because their property taxes have increased faster than their income. Massachusetts should establish a universal senior property tax deferral pilot program that allows participating homeowners to defer their property taxes through a simple process while ensuring municipalities receive the revenue they are owed. Deferred amounts would ultimately be repaid with interest when the property is sold or following the homeowner's death, creating a sustainable way to help seniors age in place.

Reduce the tax burden on low-income seniors. Seniors living at or below the federal poverty level should not have to worry about paying a motor vehicle excise tax on the one vehicle they depend on for medical appointments, groceries, family visits, and other necessities. We should provide targeted relief that helps our lowest-income seniors meet everyday expenses.

Give communities more flexibility to help residents facing financial hardship. Cities and towns should have greater discretion when residents fall behind on property taxes. Municipalities should be able to reduce the interest charged on overdue taxes, establish reasonable payment plans, and waive accrued interest in appropriate circumstances rather than being required to impose a one-size-fits-all penalty.

Make tax relief easier to access. Residents should not lose eligibility for state tax benefits simply because they do not itemize deductions on their federal tax returns. Massachusetts should simplify its tax code and remove unnecessary procedural barriers that prevent eligible residents, including seniors on fixed incomes, from receiving the relief available to them.

Successes 

Strengthen home care and help older adults safely age in place. I supported legislation to establish statewide licensing and oversight standards for home care agencies, helping ensure that older adults and individuals with disabilities receive safe, high-quality care in their homes. The legislation establishes background checks, training and competency requirements for home care workers and strengthens state oversight of agencies, including standards for service plans, costs, and quality of care. It also strengthens workplace protections for home care workers and creates commissions to examine how Massachusetts can better support family caregivers and make long-term care services more affordable and accessible. These reforms will give families greater peace of mind while helping more residents remain safely and independently in their homes as they age.