LYNN — Gov. Maura Healey kicked off her visit to the Lynn Senior Center Tuesday morning with a spirited round of bingo, sharing laughs with local seniors before taking the podium to promote the state’s recently expanded tax relief measures.
With the April 15 tax filing deadline approaching, Healey urged residents to take full advantage of the new benefits available to seniors and families.
Joined by local and state leaders including Mayor Jared C. Nicholson, State Sen. Brendan Crighton and State Reps. Dan Cahill and Jenny Armini, Healey highlighted the doubled Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit, which now offers up to $2,730 in housing-related tax relief for eligible residents 65 and older.
She also emphasized the expanded Child and Family Tax Credit, now $440 per dependent with no cap, which Healey described as the largest such credit in the country.
“All you have to do is file your taxes,” Healey told the crowd. “We want to put more money back in your pockets — whether you’re a senior, have kids, or are caring for a dependent adult.”
Healey also mentioned a range of broader affordability initiatives her administration has implemented, including the state’s first-ever low-income MBTA fare discount, universal free school meals, and a $6 billion energy affordability plan designed to lower heating and utility bills over the next five years.
The governor encouraged residents to visit mass.gov/taxcuts to learn more, check eligibility, and access free tax filing services. She noted that resources are also available for disabled residents, immigrant taxpayers, and caregivers of dependent adults.
Mayor Nicholson opened the event by welcoming Healey and praising the senior center as a vital community hub, shaped by the seniors it serves. He said that support from the city, state, and federal partners helped bring the new center to life.
“We see every day in this building how important that community is — and also the struggles that they’re having,” Nicholson said. “Part of those struggles is the ever-increasing cost of living, and so to have the availability of this tax relief… I know is helping them make it through, and we really appreciate it.”
Meegan Best, the city’s elder services director, shared stories of grandparents in Lynn who are raising grandchildren and directly benefiting from the tax credits.
“I have two grandparents who are raising grandchildren in the Lynn Senior Center right now that are utilizing that tax credit,” Best said. “I have an additional grandparent who is 86 years old raising a grandchild who is using the child credit. These things are so impactful for our families.”
Healey also used the event to condemn the Trump administration’s termination of $106 million in federal K–12 education grants for Massachusetts, calling the move “outrageous” and “devastating.” The funds, originally allocated under the federal Education Stabilization Fund, had supported projects like HVAC upgrades, mental health services, school safety improvements, and tutoring.
According to Healey’s office, Lynn stands to lose $339,357 as a result of the decision, which was announced in a notice sent to states at 5:03 p.m. Friday — just three minutes after the new deadline had already passed.
“It’s quite a contrast between what Donald Trump is doing and what we are doing in Massachusetts,” Healey said. “We are going to remain committed to supporting our young people.”
Nicholson also voiced frustration over the cut, saying some of Lynn’s education projects funded by the grants had been delayed by construction challenges but were still essential to the district’s recovery from the pandemic.
“It’s outrageous that that money would be cut,” Nicholson said. “We were fortunate with the money we did get… Some of those projects were just a bit over the timeline. There’s a beautiful facility opening soon for special education students, some of whom are medically fragile and have significant needs. That’s what that money is going to — and it should come to. It’s ridiculous that they are trying to clog this money up and take things away.”
Healey closed the event by reaffirming her administration’s focus on affordability and continued investment in public health, education, and housing.
“We’re going to keep cutting costs, investing in people, and delivering real relief,” she said. “And we want every resident to know — there’s money waiting for you, but you have to file to claim it.”
