Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced today that the special targeted tax relief home rule legislation has been Enacted in both the state House of Representatives and Senate, and is now before the Governor. House Bill (HB) 3213: An Act relative to the assessment of local property taxes in the city of Springfield will allow the city, under Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L.) Chapter 60, Section 3D, to supplement the targeted tax relief fund with a one-time payment of $1 million from the city’s certified free cash account. This one-time payment would seed this new targeted tax relief fund for eligible homeowners and provide much-needed tax relief for residents that may not be eligible for the existing state statutory exemptions.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank our Springfield state delegation for their efforts, especially State Representative Angelo Puppolo for being the lead sponsor and working to advance this important home rule legislation. I also want to thank and acknowledge Senators Adam Gomez and Jacob Oliveira for their efforts in passing this bill in the state Senate. Thanks to their leadership and efforts, this targeted tax relief initiative will be able to be seeded with $1 million so that eligible residents can apply to receive much-needed tax relief.”
“I want to thank Governor Maura Healey. Once the Governor signs this bill into law, the targeted tax relief initiative and the five-member committee that had been previously organized will have $1 million to offer to eligible homeowners that apply for much-needed tax relief. Again, this targeted tax relief is for homeowners that might miss out on the existing state statutory property tax exemptions,” added Mayor Sarno.
State Representative Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr., stated, “On behalf of my colleagues in the State Legislature, we are happy to have worked with Mayor Sarno and his administration in passing this targeted tax relief bill at the State House for the residents of Springfield. This legislation, under M.G.L. section 3D of Chapter 60, will enable the city to help more individuals and families by funding the Mayor’s targeted tax relief initiative for eligible homeowners that are elderly, disabled, or just missed out on qualifying for one of the existing state statutory exemptions. The bill is now before the Governor to be signed into law.”
State Senator Adam Gomez added, “My colleagues in the House and Senator are happy to have worked with Mayor Sarno and his administration, along with the City Council, in passing this special home rule legislation. Families are struggling with the increasing costs of everyday items and anything we can do to support tax relief initiatives such as this is a no-brainer. This legislation will now allow the City of Springfield to fund their targeted tax relief initiative and give Springfield homeowners yet another option to seek tax relief.”
“This is a win for Springfield residents, and I'm grateful for the strong partnership between the Springfield delegation, Mayor Sarno, and our colleagues across the Legislature, which got it over the finish line and onto the Governor's desk," said State Senator Jake Oliveira. "Once signed into law, this will bring homeowners the targeted tax relief they need. I look forward to continuing to partner with Mayor Sarno, Representative Puppolo, Senator Gomez, and the delegation as we work together to deliver for the people of Springfield.”