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Get on the phone or email our state legislators today regarding the bill to close the telecommunications tax loophole and make these businesses pay their fair share just like everyone else in this state. Closing this tax loophole, a part of the governor’s Municipal Partnership Act, will provide money to cities and towns desperately trying to fund critical services (such as schools, police and fire) without further burdening property owners. It will also end decades of tax benefits for these companies which have not translated into savings for consumers. (See earlier post for more details.) For some area communities, the additional revenue from closing these tax loopholes is substantial: Billerica, $949K; Lowell, $759K; Chelmsford, $290K; and Tewksbury, $277K just to name a few. Also remember, every other state taxes telecom companies for use of their public ways while still enjoying lower rates than Mass. consumers. (We have one of the highest phone rates in the country.) The vote could happen as early as this Thursday, so contact Lowell legislators now: State Senator Steven Panagiotakos, Representatives Kevin Murphy, David Nangle, and Tom Golden to make sure they know how important these funds are to you and that it is the right and fair thing to do.

The date of the second Concert in the Park will be Thursday, July 26, from 6-8 p.m. and NOT this Thursday as was previously reported in this blog. (My apologies for getting the date wrong in the earlier post.) The band for the July concert is Take Two, a couple of talented guys on guitar who sing and play some of your old-time rock favorites—you know, songs like Brown-Eyed Girl—where you can’t help but sing along. While we’re on the subject of the concerts, mark your calendars for August 23, the date of the final concert in the Friends of Tyler Park summer series.