Dan Clifford

  

  Your District 6 Town Councilor

 "A Record of Accomplishments"

Committee to Elect Dan Clifford

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 Citizen Soldiers Bill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Article #6

 

THAT THE TOWN VOTE TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN TO FILE A PETITION WITH THE GENERAL COURT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 8 OF ARTICLE 89 OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO ADOPT A SPECIAL ACT OF LEGISLATION AS FOLLOWS: NOTWITHSTANDING ANY SPECIAL OR GENERAL LAW TO THE CONTRARY, THE BRAINTREE BOARD OF ASSESSORS IS AUTHORIZED TO GRANT, RETROACTIVE TO FISCAL YEAR 2002, REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS, UP TO 100% OF THE TOTAL TAX ASSESSED, TO OUR "CITIZEN SOLDIERS" OF THE MASSACHUSETTS NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVISTS ON ACTIVE DUTY AND SERVING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR IN WHICH SAID MILITARY PERSONNEL IS ON ACTIVE SERVICE AND SERVING IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES, SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA DEVELOPED BY THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS. THE AUTHORITY TO GRANT ABATEMENTS UNDER THIS ACT SHALL EXPIRE AFTER FISCAL YEAR 2010, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY EXTENDED BY A VOTE OF BRAINTREE'S TOWN COUNCIL. FURTHER, THE GENERAL COURT MAY MAKE CLERICAL AND EDITORIAL CHANGES OF FORM ONLY TO THE BILL, UNLESS THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN APPROVES AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL BEFORE ENACTMENT BY THE GENERAL COURT, AND FURTHER, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS WHICH SHALL BE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC OBJECTIVES OF THIS PETITION.  




June 21, 2008, "Good News",

"The Citizen Soldier's Bill" (Chapter 134 of the Acts of 2008 of the Massachusetts General Laws) was signed into law on Monday, June 16, 2008 by Governor Patrick.

I am proud to have initiated and authored this Bill. The last Braintree Town Meeting in April 2007 can be proud of overwhelmingly supporting this.  Thank you Town Meeting members! 

In just slightly over a year, this bill, from an idea, has become state law. That my friends could only be done with a very supportive team; it has been an excellent experience working with, and learning from Representative Joseph Driscoll, Senator Michael Morrissey, and Senator Brian Joyce as they guided this Bill through the House and Senate, respectively.   

The Law recognizes qualified Braintree National Guard and Reservist serving in foreign lands, principally Iraq and Afghanistan, with 100% property tax abatements.  This Bill is the first of its kind in Massachusetts, and from my research and feedback, first of its kind in the country. 

Braintree is proud to recognize the sacrifices of our men and women, and to show our thanks in a substantial way.  We hope this Law will also serve as a model for other municipalities to follow.

Those who qualify should call our Braintree Veterans Service Officer at the Town Hall to process your property tax abatement.

September 20, 2007 Update:

Senator Brian Joyce's office contacted me this week for two things:

1) To communicate he co-sponsored the filing of the "Soldiers Bill", along with Representative Joe Driscoll and Senator Michael Morrissey.  The Bill was filed on September 13.  It is important to note that Congressmen Stephen Lynch is intimately involved and actively supporting passage of this home-rule petition.  Congressmen Lynch's office, just last week, called Beacon Hill to offer his support, etc. (See Letter to Congressmen Lynch Click here)

 

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Committee to Elect Dan Clifford

ph: 617-797-5534