Affordability & Cost of Living

Stronger Oversight Over Utility Rate Hikes

Under Massachusetts law, utility companies must receive approval from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities before making major rate increases. Despite this, customers have still been subjected to significant rate increases. Shannon supports the establishment of a cap on annual residential rate increases. Additionally, Shannon supports requirements for utility companies to conduct an independent audit and provide a public justification before increasing utility costs.

Raise Eligibility for the Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program is intended to help low-income individuals and families with the cost of heating homes during the winter season. However, as utility rates continue to surge, many residents above the eligibility level are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to heat their homes. Shannon supports raising the eligibility level for the Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program. Additionally, Shannon supports expanding the program to cover the cost of cooling homes during the warmer months of the year.

Fair Taxation

For far too long, lower and middle class families have been crushed by taxes while the wealthiest in society have enjoyed low taxes and exploited loopholes. While the Fair Share Amendment was a strong start, it is clear there is still much work to be done. Shannon supports increasing taxes for the top 1% of earners and corporations. Additionally, Shannon believes the Legislature should work to close loopholes used by the wealthy to avoid paying their fair share in taxes. Shannon then hopes to direct this revenue to support our local communities without increasing taxes on working families, seniors, or young people.

Increase State Aid to Cities and Towns

Across our district and the state, the story has been the same: municipalities asking for overrides in order to account for budget shortfalls. Rather than placing the burden on lower and middle class families, Shannon believes in increasing state aid for cities and towns utilizing revenue from the existing millionaires tax and potential future taxes on the ultra-wealthy.