BOSTON, MA – The Massachusetts State Senate convened Thursday for the first-ever remote session in the history of the body to pass legislation to allow short-term borrowing to meet the Commonwealth’s financial obligations.
“I’m proud to have participated in the first ever ‘remote vote’ session in the Senate’s history, but am prouder that we passed a bill to ensure funding will continue to flow to critical services over the coming months,” said Senator O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “The bi-partisan legislation passed today ensures the Commonwealth will be able to overcome the short-term budgetary gaps caused by extending the tax filing deadline by three months.”
The legislation, An Act to Facilitate the Delay of the Income Tax Filing Deadline, complements legislative action taken in early April to extend the income tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020, which provided flexibility to residents and families across the state amid the COVID-19 State of Emergency. The extension mirrors actions taken on the federal level.
To ensure budgetary stability, the bill allows the treasurer to borrow during Fiscal Year 2020 to meet financial obligations that would normally be fulfilled through income tax filings.
The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.
Senator Patrick O’Connor represents the Plymouth and Norfolk district, which includes the towns of Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth. Senator O’Connor and his staff may be reached at the State House via telephone at 617-722-1646, by email at Patrick.O’[email protected], or through www.SenatorOCOnnor.com.Top of Form
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