[Action E-lert] Governor's transportation plan - make your voice heard!

 

MASSACHUSETTS  TRANSPORTATION  ACTION  E-LERT
 
Monday, the Governor outlined MassDOT's long-awaited transportation plan, and what some analysts are calling the most comprehensive accounting ever of our state's transportation finances. "The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan" calls for $1.02 billion in new revenue per year on average for the next ten years, and is expected to kick off a serious conversation about our transportation system over the next few months. Patrick stressed that these transportation investments are in the name of economic vitality and quality of life, warning that inaction or ­insufficient action could prove dire. "We invest in infrastructure because rebuilding our roads, rails, bridges, expanding broadband to every community, gives private initiative and personal ambition the platform for growth," Governor Patrick said last night in the State of the State speech.
MassDOT Secretary Davey and Governor Patrick at UMass Boston on Monday. *photo credit Mass.gov

 

Some highlights from the report 
  1. The report identifies a 10-year combined $684 million operating deficit facing MassDOT, the MBTA and Regional Transit authorities if new investments aren't made.
  2. Over 10 years, the Governor's proposal would double the investments we're making in our transportation system, including investments in RTAs, increased funding to cities and towns, maintenance priorities on the MBTA and dedicated funding to bicycle and pedestrian improvements.
  3. More than half the proposed $1 billion annually would help balance highway and transit budgets, relieve some MBTA debt, run buses at night and on weekends in cities such as Springfield, and end a practice of borrowing for basic highway operations such as mowing and striping.*
"We all agree something has to be done," House Speaker Robert A. ­DeLeo said, after he and Senate President Therese Murray emerged from an hour-long, closed-door meeting with Patrick. Read more in Globe article here*
 
Now that we have the numbers, it's time to get to work and create a solution to fix our transportation system. Creating new, long-term sources of revenue will provide investments in our state and give Massachusetts a world-class transportation system 
Now is the time to make your voice heard.
Here's what you can do to support critical transportation investments:

 

1. Email your legislators using this easy to use template.

2. Email House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray as well. You can use this text in your email.

3. Follow us on Facebook for latest updates, news and to share information with your network.

4. Follow @StreetsBoston on Twitter and @T4MASS #FixingTranspo to stay in the know.

5. Forward this email to your friends, family, co-workers and neighbors now!
 

[Here is what some of our members and volunteers are saying]

 

"I want long term transportation funding because the T should be the best in the country." - Boston resident and LivableStreets volunteer

 

"I want long term transportation funding because world-class cities have world-class transit." - Medford resident and LivableStreets member

  

We will be sending out more announcements and action e-lerts in the coming weeks and months so stay tuned!

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

 

 

Jackie Douglas,

Executive Director