"There aren't great big initiatives that he drove," Horowitz said. "And the ones where he really seemed to try to stamp with his imprimatur didn't thrive."
Researchers at cSPA say the surtax will likely only apply to about 0.6% of Massachusetts households in any given year. The center estimated that in 2023, at least 26,000 — less than 1% of the state’s households — will earn greater than $1 million.
cSPA estimates there were 21,000 state taxpayers in 2019 — the last year for which they had complete data — with incomes of more than $1 million, amounting to 0.6% of all households. Yet, these households earned 22% of all taxable income in Massachusetts.
cSPA estimates there were 21,000 state taxpayers in 2019 — the last year for which they had complete data — with incomes of more than $1 million, amounting to 0.6% of all households. Yet, these households earned 22% of all taxable income in Massachusetts.
“A Right to Rental Assistance in Massachusetts: How Policy Change Can Advance Equitable Housing” prepared by the cSPA, estimates that at least 240,000 more eligible households could be served by this program with increased funding of $3.2b annually.
The Boston Foundation produced the report in conjunction with cSPA, CHAPA, Metro Housing | Boston, the Regional Housing Network of Massachusetts, and Mass NAHRO
“It’s certainly a substantial cost, but I think it’s matched by the transformational impact,” Horowitz said of the benefits of universal rental assistance.
Evan Horowitz, executive director of The Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University, described the secretary of state’s proposed exemption as reasonable while noting that it would not impact many residents.