State Senate: Rodrigues vs Amaral. Who matches you?

1 / 7

Massachusetts taxes estates worth more than $2 million when a person dies, at rates from about 7% to 16%. Should the state eliminate the estate tax?

Yes. People should not pay a tax when they die; end it.

No. Ending it would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

2 / 7

A 1986 voter-approved law (Chapter 62F) refunds money to taxpayers when state tax collections grow faster than wages. The state last paid refunds, nearly $3 billion, in 2022. In July 2026 the state Senate voted 31-8 to add a new condition: refunds would be paid only in years when state tax revenue equals at least 7.5% of statewide personal income. The House has not agreed to it; the bill is now in House-Senate negotiations. Which view is closer to yours?

Support it. Pay refunds only when the new 7.5% condition is met.

Oppose it. Keep the refunds so taxpayers get their overpaid money back.

3 / 7

The state's rainy day fund (the Stabilization Fund) holds more than $8 billion. What should the state do with it?

Keep it large to protect the state's credit, and send extra to pension debt.

Keep about $4 billion and send the rest back to cities, towns, and taxpayers.

4 / 7

Should Massachusetts suspend its state gas tax when gas prices are high?

No. A pause sounds good but gives drivers no real relief.

Yes. Suspend it, and keep it off until prices return to normal.

5 / 7

What should the state do about the extra charges on electric and gas bills?

Trim some of the state-mandated programs on bills, and hold the utilities accountable.

Remove the extra charges and fees, so people pay only for what they use.

6 / 7

Voters approved a 2024 law letting the state auditor audit the Legislature. Which is closer to your view?

Legislative leaders limited the audit voters approved. Carry it out in full.

The Legislature is already audited by outside firms, and the Senate agreed to what the auditor asked for. Let it go forward.

7 / 7

Legislators often steer state money to specific local needs. Which is closer to your view?

It works. It pays for police and fire staffing and equipment towns couldn’t afford.

Give towns a fairer share of regular state aid, so they don’t need tax overrides, instead of one-time grants from legislators.

State Senate

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