Continuing Dr. King's Legacy

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor a leader whose vision helped move our nation closer to its highest ideals. Dr. King reminded us that real change is built on courage, compassion, and a steadfast belief in the dignity of every person.

His leadership showed that progress does not come from anger or division, but from unity and a shared commitment to justice. Even in the face of tremendous adversity, he chose hope, faith, and nonviolence, setting an example that continues to guide us today.

As we reflect on his legacy, let us honor it by serving one another, listening with compassion, and working together to build stronger, more connected communities.

TARR IN THE NEWS | 1.18.26

'Wong bill would provide relief on high energy bills'

EXCERPTS BELOW:

 
"House Docket 5554, “An Act addressing energy costs, transparency, and sustainability,” was filed Jan. 15 by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Rep. Wong, and 23 of their Republican colleagues. It contains a series of reforms to address rising energy costs, including proposals to restructure the Mass Save program, allow older homeowners and renters to factor in a portion of their utility bills to determine their eligibility for the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit, and provide more cost transparency for consumers."

AND

"Sen. Tarr said, “Unaffordable energy costs in Massachusetts are destabilizing household budgets, compromising our competitiveness, and undermining trust in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The comprehensive provisions of this bill come to the rescue of ratepayers who are struggling to pay some of the highest prices for electricity and home heating in the nation, with boundaries to control costs, tools to achieve consumer savings, and powerful and innovative measures to create new sources of energy without carbon emissions. Taken together, these measures will produce the rate relief that is desperately needed now, while putting our state on a path to more affordable and environmentally sound sources of energy for the future.”

Read the full article

https://itemlive.com/.../wong-bill-would-provide-relief.../

Jillian Smith Farewell Celebration

Wishing Jillian Smith all the best as she moves on from 6½ wonderful years as Middleton’s COA Director! 

Our Senior District Director, MaryAnn Nay, presented Jillian with an official Senate Citation, on my behalf, commending her dedication to our Middleton seniors during the recent Farewell Celebration held in her honor at the Middleton Council on Aging. 

She’ll be missed by so many—good luck in your next chapter, Jillian!

A Bright Beginning to 2026 with the Salisbury Council on Aging

What a wonderful way to ring in the New Year at the Salisbury Council on Aging's New Years Eve Celebration! 

I was grateful to join local officials and volunteers in serving our Salisbury seniors in the buffet line, helping contribute to the room full of smiling faces celebrating the year ahead - together.

A heartfelt thank you to the Friends of the Salisbury Council on Aging, James Kelcourse and to all of the generous sponsors who made this special day possible. 

Your dedication and efforts created moments of joy and connection bringing the community together.

It was a pleasure spending time with all and seeing Salisbury’s strong spirit of giving and togetherness on full display. 

Here’s to more shared meals, laughter, and great memories in 2026!

Salt Marsh Funding Secured

Thank you to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for awarding over $2 Million for Salt Marsh Restoration and Monitoring.

Marshes are important resources that provide valuable habitat, efficient carbon sequestration, and extremely effective natural defenses against the powerful forces of coastal storms. These benefits, however, depend directly on marshlands being healthy and capable of outpacing such threats as those posed by invasive species, rising sea levels, and increased absorption of carbon. This grant funding is an important investment in the stewardship of the marshes that provide critical protection for our environment and our seaside communities.

Thanks to the advocacy of local universities and The Trustees, almost $619,000 is being awarded for the following projects:

o Boston University - $389,079: Study to Measure CO2 Flux in Restored Salt Marshes in the Great Marsh

o Northeastern University - $229,197: Study of Salt Marsh Elevation, Soil Chemistry, and Restoration Success in the Great Marsh and Buzzards Bay 

o The Trustees - $330,000: Post-Restoration Monitoring of Salt Marsh Restoration in the Great Marsh

For more details and to access full list of awardees, visit 

https://www.mass.gov/.../healey-driscoll-administration...

Tarr Expands Access to Senior Tax Relief

I was pleased that the Senate unanimously adopted my amendment during debate of S.2901, An Act relative to senior property tax deferral, in the formal Senate session yesterday.

Tarr Amendment to S.2901 | Amendment #6: Increasing the Income Limit for Senior Tax Deferral

Under current law, many seniors are shut out of the Senior Tax Deferral Program because the income limit is set unrealistically low.

My amendment, now included in S.2901, gives cities and towns the local option to raise that limit, allowing significantly more seniors to qualify and stay in their homes while managing rising costs.
How Tarr Amendment Expands Access for Seniors

By allowing towns to adopt a higher income limit (up to the Senior Circuit Breaker level, which is adjusted annually), this amendment opens the door for thousands of additional seniors who are currently excluded under the old statutory cap.

SEE DETAILED CHART FOR BREAK DOWN BY TAX FILER.

In addition to my amendment expanding income limits, this bill—also unanimously passed by the Senate—makes more meaningful improvements for seniors by: 

• Lowering the Massachusetts residency requirement from 10 years to 7 years

• Providing families with more time before interest increases or foreclosure can be pursued

• Delaying those actions until one year after a taxpayer’s passing

Seniors are a vital part of our communities, and I remain committed to protecting their interests and supporting policies that help them stay in the homes and towns they have worked so hard to build. Everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes with stability, dignity, and security as they age, and I will continue working to make sure our laws reflect that commitment.

Being a Berry Institute of Politics Board Member

Proud to be an Advisory Board member at The Frederick E. Berry Institute of Politics at Salem State University (Berry IOP) for another year. 

Looking forward to partnering with the newly expanded Advisory Board, and offered the following quote in their recent press announcement: 

“The future of our democracy depends on the development of young leaders who value public service of all types, and who grasp the complexities of effective public policy and the collaborative efforts needed to integrate different perspectives into cohesive and meaningful government actions that achieve fair results.

Sen. Berry led with those values, and the institute that bears his name builds on his legacy of working collaboratively with colleagues, including senators like me from across the aisle. I appreciate being engaged with the Institute to give students powerful exposure to real world issues and the leadership needed to address them.”

According the Berry IOP, "these change-makers guide the IOP in engaging students and the greater campus community to actively participate in our government and our democracy, as well as supporting pathways into public service." 

Learn more about the full Berry IOP Advisory Board membership 

https://tr.ee/YUvm52oL-m

OR

Email: berryiop@salemstate.edu