Somerville Businesses, Organizations Endorse The Millionaires Tax

SOMERVILLE, MA — The ‘Fair Share for Massachusetts’ campaign announced Wednesday that several Somerville organizations and businesses have joined more than 500 organizations across the state in endorsing Question 1, the proposed ‘Fair Share Amendment’ that would tax incomes above $1 million and use the funding to improve transportation and public education.

The Somerville Educators Union, Somerville Community Corporation, All She Wrote Books, Almquist & Associates, Neighborhood Produce, Pikliz International Kitchen, Tipping Cow Ice Cream, and local Democratic town and ward committees announced their support for Question 1 on the November ballot. The Somerville City Council and School Committee also endorsed a yes vote earlier this month.

If passed, the amendment would create a 4 percent tax on the portion of a person’s annual income above $1 million and constitutionally dedicate the funds to be spent on transportation and public education.

“Tens of thousands of educators, workers, small business owners, parents, faith leaders, municipal officials, drivers and transit riders, and more than 500 organizations across the state are all working together to pass Question 1 in November,” Lillian Lanier, Field Director for Fair Share for Massachusetts, said in a statement. “We’re supporting Question 1 because we know it will help improve our schools and transportation infrastructure, and only the very rich will pay more. A few billionaires are trying to mislead voters about what Question 1 does, but our grassroots supporters are having thousands of conversations every day to combat their misinformation.”

The Yes on Question 1 campaign has been endorsed by 87 labor unions, 72 community organizing groups, 18 faith-based groups, more than 75 businesses, 64 city councils, select boards, and school committees, 89 local Democratic town and ward committees, and 115 other social service and not-for-profit organizations focused on housing, education, transportation, public health, and the environment.

A full list of the 500+ organizations supporting Question 1 can be found here.