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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.

“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.

Metro Housing Boston and other housing groups who helped shape the cSPA report see it as the first step in a campaign to push for universal rental assistance.

“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

When it comes to addressing inflation, lawmakers here in Massachusetts have an important role to play: they need to adapt.

“This ballot question is built on relatively thin information,” the cSPA report said. “It’s not clear whether dental insurers are currently close to — or far from — the proposed 83 percent requirement."

Researchers at Tufts Center for State Policy Analysis reported the surtax would likely only apply to about 0.6% of Massachusetts households in any given year.