New Bedford, September 25, 2025
News Summary
Raise Up Massachusetts, a union-backed coalition, is holding a series of town halls starting in New Bedford to address federal spending cuts and to support new tax proposals that could generate $1.6 billion in revenue. Key discussions will focus on the impacts of these cuts on healthcare and education services, aiming to rally public and legislative support for necessary reforms. The town halls will continue throughout October across multiple Massachusetts cities.
New Bedford — Raise Up Massachusetts, a union-backed coalition, is initiating a series of town halls starting with a meeting on Thursday in New Bedford to address federal spending cuts and to build support for new tax and budget proposals that organizers say could generate about $1.6 billion in additional revenue.
Top line
The town halls begin in New Bedford and will continue throughout October, with events scheduled in multiple cities across the state. The coalition is advancing two primary fiscal measures: one focused on raising state revenue by changing how offshore corporate profits are taxed, and a second that would use a portion of the state’s rainy day fund to plug budget gaps tied to federal spending reductions.
What the town halls will cover
Healthcare workers and educators will discuss the anticipated impacts of federal cuts to Medicaid and nutrition aid at these gatherings. The coalition warns that without legislative intervention, there could be negative consequences such as hospital closures, health insurance coverage losses, and teacher layoffs.
Revenue and spending proposals
One proposal aims to generate $400 million in new annual revenue by increasing the taxable share of offshore profits from 5% to 50%, aligning with policies in other states and the federal government. The coalition’s other proposal seeks to utilize $1.2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund — 15% of the total — to address budget gaps created by federal cuts, with assurance that it wouldn’t deplete the fund entirely.
Goals and political context
The town hall events will continue throughout October to generate support for new proposals that could create about $1.6 billion in additional revenue. Attendees at the town halls aim to persuade undecided legislators to support their measures and to encourage those already in favor to push for a vote. Majority support for the proposed tax code change (H 3110/S 2033) exists among House and Senate members, who plan to discuss the bills during a Joint Committee on Revenue hearing on October 3.
Arguments, risks and legal context
The coalition cites that state law allows for reserves to be drawn to replace losses of federal funds. Raise Up emphasizes that the approach to offshore corporate profits is rooted in a system established by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to discourage profit shifting to tax havens. The Tax Foundation has suggested that states incorporating GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) into their tax codes may complicate matters for corporate tax compliance and create disparities between states. Critics, such as the Pioneer Institute, argue that increasing taxes on foreign earnings could drive businesses out of Massachusetts, which already has high operating costs.
Background and recent history
The coalition has successfully advocated for a higher minimum wage, earned sick time law, paid family and medical leave law, and a surtax on high-income households in recent years. State tax collections have seen growth, aided by the recent surtax on high-income residents, and state officials are discussing options that include using rainy day fund interest for addressing debt and obligations.
A September 15 letter addressed to all 200 state legislators warned that federal cuts could severely harm Massachusetts’ healthcare system, resulting in institutional closures and increased poverty among children and seniors. Organizers say the town halls are intended to translate those warnings into legislative action and votes before federal cuts affect state programs.
Town hall schedule and next steps
Upcoming town hall locations include Lawrence (Oct. 8), Worcester and Cambridge (Oct. 9), Boston and Kingston (Oct. 14), Lynn (Oct. 22), Springfield (Oct. 23), and Brockton (Oct. 28). The coalition plans to use the events to press lawmakers and build public-facing pressure ahead of the October legislative calendar.
What to watch
- Whether the Joint Committee on Revenue hearing on October 3 produces a scheduled debate or vote on H 3110/S 2033.
- Lawmakers’ response to requests to use rainy day fund reserves given assurances that the fund would not be depleted entirely.
- Public feedback at town halls and whether the events shift undecided legislators toward supporting the proposals.
FAQ
Who is launching the town halls?
Raise Up Massachusetts, a union-backed coalition, is initiating a series of town halls starting with a meeting on Thursday in New Bedford to address federal spending cuts.
What do the town halls seek to accomplish?
The town hall events will continue throughout October to generate support for new proposals that could create about $1.6 billion in additional revenue.
What is the proposal regarding offshore profits?
One proposal aims to generate $400 million in new annual revenue by increasing the taxable share of offshore profits from 5% to 50%, aligning with policies in other states and the federal government.
What is the rainy day fund proposal?
The coalition’s other proposal seeks to utilize $1.2 billion from the state’s rainy day fund — 15% of the total — to address budget gaps created by federal cuts, with assurance that it wouldn’t deplete the fund entirely.
Who will speak about program impacts?
Healthcare workers and educators will discuss the anticipated impacts of federal cuts to Medicaid and nutrition aid at these gatherings.
What warnings has the coalition issued?
The coalition warns that without legislative intervention, there could be negative consequences such as hospital closures, health insurance coverage losses, and teacher layoffs.
What did the September 15 letter say?
A September 15 letter addressed to all 200 state legislators warned that federal cuts could severely harm Massachusetts’ healthcare system, resulting in institutional closures and increased poverty among children and seniors.
What past policy changes has the coalition supported?
The coalition has successfully advocated for a higher minimum wage, earned sick time law, paid family and medical leave law, and a surtax on high-income households in recent years.
What do national and local critics say about the offshore approach?
The Tax Foundation has suggested that states incorporating GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) into their tax codes may complicate matters for corporate tax compliance and create disparities between states.
Critics, such as the Pioneer Institute, argue that increasing taxes on foreign earnings could drive businesses out of Massachusetts, which already has high operating costs.
What is the current legislative status?
Majority support for the proposed tax code change (H 3110/S 2033) exists among House and Senate members, who plan to discuss the bills during a Joint Committee on Revenue hearing on October 3.
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Quick reference table
| Date | Location | Purpose / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday (start) | New Bedford | First town hall to address federal spending cuts and launch October series |
| Oct. 8 | Lawrence | Town hall; local organizers to discuss impacts and mobilize support |
| Oct. 9 | Worcester and Cambridge | Two events on the same day across the state |
| Oct. 14 | Boston and Kingston | Regional gatherings to build legislative pressure |
| Oct. 22 | Lynn | Town hall focused on community impacts |
| Oct. 23 | Springfield | Western Massachusetts event |
| Oct. 28 | Brockton | Closing events for October series |
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston: Powerful Coalition Will Press Tax, Spending Plans at Mass Town Halls
- Axios: Massachusetts Restaurants’ Tips Minimum Wage Question
- Business Insider: Minimum Wage Vote Results in Massachusetts and Other States
- Boston Globe: Opinion on Tips for Restaurant Workers and Minimum Wage
- NBC Boston: Mass Voters Reject Ending Tipped Minimum Wage
- Wikipedia: Minimum Wage
- Google Search: Massachusetts Minimum Wage 2024
- Google Scholar: Minimum Wage Legislation Massachusetts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Minimum Wage
- Google News: Massachusetts Tax Spending Plans
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