BOSTON – The Housing Bond Bill passed by Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Legislature was recently signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker. The bill includes two of Senator DiDomenico’s major legislative priorities: expansion of the Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) and reauthorization of the Early Education and Out of School Time (EEOST) Capital Fund. 

The CITC was created in 2012 by legislation sponsored by Senator DiDomenico. It offers a 50 percent credit to anyone who donates money to a community development corporation (CDC). CDCs are nonprofit, community based organizations focused on revitalizing the areas in which they are located by promoting and developing affordable housing, providing job training, and supporting local businesses, among other initiatives. The Senator filed a bill to extend and expand the CITC through 2025, which was included in the bond bill.

The EEOST Capital Fund provides loans and grants for the construction and renovation of early learning centers and out-of-school-time facilities serving low-income children in the Commonwealth. Senator DiDomenico was the original sponsor of legislation that created the Capital Fund in 2013. Under the bond bill, the EEOST Capital Fund has been reauthorized to 2023 at $45 million.

“I am thrilled that the EEOST Capital Fund and CITC expansion reauthorization were included in the Housing Bond Bill,” said Senator DiDomenico, Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “I have long supported these measures because they give communities the tools they need to make change locally to support community and economic development. I am confident that these provisions will help us support individuals and families across our Commonwealth and allow us to continue to make key housing investments and community development for years to come.”

The CITC expansion and EEOST Capital Fund are two key aspects of the Housing Bond Bill, which aims to increase affordable housing production, maintain affordability in existing housing, modernize and diversify public housing, and invest in innovative solutions for the Commonwealth’s growing demand for housing.

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BOSTON – Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate voted to engross H.4539, An Act Relative to Firearms. The legislation, which was co-sponsored by Senator DiDomenico, allows a judge to order the immediate suspension and surrender of any license to carry firearms from an at-risk person when petitioned by that person’s family or household member. Such an order is called an extreme risk protection order (ERPO). The bill is also known as the ‘red flag’ or ‘ERPO’ bill.

The legislation supplements Massachusetts’ extensive common-sense gun control and public safety regulations which have led to the lowest rates of gun deaths in the nation. Additionally, the bill amends the statute regulating stun guns.

“This Extreme Risk Protective Order bill will provide us with the additional tools necessary to help prevent gun related tragedies and protect public safety,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett), Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. “With today’s vote, Massachusetts is once again taking the steps needed to lead the nation with commonsense gun legislation that will undoubtedly help to save lives.  This bill is truly the culmination of the hard work and tireless advocacy of countless parents, students, public safety officials, and elected officials, and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this day possible.”

 “This legislation provides a framework for removing dangerous weapons from people who may harm themselves or others. It will reduce the risk of suicide and murder, and will encourage distressed people to seek the mental health treatment that they may need. But perhaps most importantly, this bill gives family members the tools and confidence to help their loved ones in extremely tense and emotional situations. I am very happy that the Senate has approved this legislation to make Massachusetts an even safer place to live,” said Senate President Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester).

Similar laws already exist in five other states. As of this year, 32 ERPO bills were being considered by 19 states’ legislatures as well as Washington D.C.

The bill will now be reconciled with a version passed by the House of Representatives, before moving to the Governor for final approval.

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Senator DiDomenico receives the President’s Distinguished Service Award from Bunker Hill Community College President Pam Eddinger

BOSTON- Senator Sal DiDomenico was recently honored by Bunker Hill Community College during their 44th annual commencement ceremony, where he received the prestigious President’s Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented to Senator DiDomenico in recognition of his service to Bunker Hill Community College, his support for higher education, and his work throughout the district.  This distinction is the highest honor given by the school to a member of the community, and past recipients have included Speaker Robert DeLeo, Mayor Marty Walsh, Superintendent Thomas McDonough and Raytheon CEO William Swanson.  During the commencement, the Senator addressed the graduates and offered them some words of advice and congratulations, lauding their perseverance and wishing them luck in future endeavors. “Congratulations to the 2018 Bunker Hill Community College graduates and thank you to President Pam Eddinger for presenting me with the President's Distinguished Service Award,” said Senator DiDomenico. “It was an honor to be recognized by Bunker Hill Community College and have an opportunity to speak to the graduates.  I want to commend them for their perseverance and dedication to their academic success. Best of luck BHCC Class of 2018!”

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