Legislative Issues currently being considered

Transportation Sponsor: Senator Pacheco
The transportation sector accounts for roughly one third of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. It is critical that we undertake a comprehensive reform that responds to the full magnitude and urgency of our climate problem as well as our financial problem.

As transportation reform moves forward, we hope that the following principles are reflected:
Transportation reform should be comprehensive and respond fully to the problems detailed by the Transportation Finance Commission. Specifically, reform should meet the system's long term funding needs and achieve all cost-savings identified.
Public transit systems (both the MBTA and the RTAs) should receive sufficient debt, capital and operating relief to allow them to (a) keep fares reasonable; (b) expand routes; (c) improve service.
A responsible gas tax increase needs to be part of the solution -- to provide adequate funds dedicated to transportation, but also to encourage economy in automobile use.
We oppose the dramatic turnpike and tunnel toll increases proposed because they are unfair and will channel traffic into residential neighborhoods. We do not as a group offer a specific toll plan, but we feel that some equitable tolls reasonably related to maintenance costs may have a long term role to play. They may be necessary financially and can be used to manage congestion.
If registration fees or other automobile fees are part of the consensus financial solution, we urge that the fees be structured to lower net fees and taxes on buyers of smaller, more efficient vehicles, while raising the most revenues from buyers of larger less efficient vehicles.
We urge that the bill include explicit language to favor transportation capital investment that (a) supports smart growth development patterns (core density as opposed to sprawl); and (b) supports traffic calming, bicycle routes and pedestrian safety facilities -- street liveability measures which make higher density pleasant and efficient; (c) supports transportation demand management programs.
We urge that, to the extent that necessary revenue increases burden persons of limited income, mechanisms be included to provide appropriate relief.
We stand ready to offer more details on any of these principles.

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GROUPS AND LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON

Clean Water Action
Conservation Law Foundation
Environmental League of Massachusetts
MassBike
MassCommute
Massachusetts Climate Action Network
Massachusetts Power Shift
Massachusetts Sierra Club
Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance
MassPIRG
WalkBoston

Senator Ken Donnelly
Rep. Will Brownsberger
Rep. Katherine Clark
Rep. Lori Ehrlich
Rep. Mary Grant
Rep. Jonathan Hecht
Rep. Jay Kaufman
Rep. David Linsky
Rep. Matthew Patrick
Rep. Alice Peisch
Rep. Carl Sciortino
Rep. Frank Smizik
Rep. Alice Wolf