When Massachusetts voters passed the so-called millionaire’s tax in 2022, it was meant to fund transportation and education.
Now, a Massachusetts Senate Democrat plans to use $1 million of revenue from that four percent tax on annual income over $1 million to fund legal costs of illegal immigrants facing deportation, according to a local news report.
WBUR reported Senate President Karen Spilka saying: “We need to ensure that the funding is there, because unfortunately, the Trump administration is continuing to increase the number of people that they are — I hate to use the term kidnapping at times — but suddenly appearing and grabbing people.”
Lawmakers gave $5 million to the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative in fiscal year 2026, WBUR reported. That money reportedly paid the salaries of 24 full-time immigration attorneys who have represented hundreds of people. Now, lawmakers want to spend even more money defending people who probably broke federal law. The group that defends illegal immigrants seeks $15 million in the next state budget, according to a report from MassDailyNews.
That revenue could be spent elsewhere, like the ideas originally pitched to voters in 2022. The city of Boston faces a $48 million budget deficit. Boston Public Schools faces a projected $53 million deficit.
The millionaire's tax has raised about $6 billion so far, according to the state government.
If Maura Healey spent less of your tax dollars helping illegal immigrants evade deportations and more of her energy on reviving our state’s economy, Massachusetts would be in a far better position today.
— Mike Kennealy for Governor (@MikeKennealy) April 2, 2026
The state has already funneled $5 million to help illegal immigrants avoid… pic.twitter.com/U7mtNO1TSm
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Massachusetts Senate President announces she will use the millionaires tax to fund additional lawyers for illegal migrants facing deportationhttps://t.co/fWnvxG9qyv
— Mass Daily News (@MassDailyNews) April 2, 2026
If I remember correctly, @MassGovernor and @MassDems sold this tax as going to the education of the state's children. Again, 'Bait and Switch' in the state by your legislators. https://t.co/eQ8wW9SPGh
— Proud Deplorable Ultra MAGA (@LoriBlaney) April 2, 2026
Find politicians that support you and your needs like Democrats support criminals and Illegal aliens. https://t.co/oayDCWZ359
— Sensurround (擬猫娘) (@ShamashAran) April 2, 2026
But no audit. @MassDems Shameful and Pathetic https://t.co/3eFf4YZWWR
— Mikey Adams (@MikeyAdams420) April 2, 2026
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