When Massachusetts voters passed the Millionaires Tax in 2022, there was an expectation that the funds generated by the 4 percent surtax on income over $1 million would help solve the problems in the state’s transportation sector, particularly with the struggling MBTA system facing an operating deficit.
MBTA officials say fare collection efforts are being stepped up on the commuter rail system, but the loss of revenue remains a problem, with a quarter of fares not being collected on trains operating out of South Station.
The man widely viewed as the heir apparent as speaker has a message for the state’s business community, which has complained about the economic climate since voters passed the Millionaire Tax two years ago: Get over it.
What legislators meant to include in the MBTA Communities Act – requiring 177 mostly Eastern Massachusetts cities and towns near public transit to zone for a district of reasonable size where multifamily housing is allowed by right – has dredged up an age-old fight over local versus state power.
Small multifamily and commercial buildings create nearly 20 percent of Boston’s carbon emissions, but financing energy retrofits for these properties is tough.
Getting to Kendall Square in Cambridge from the western suburbs isn’t easy. You can drive in on the Massachusetts Turnpike and take your chances with the brutal traffic in Cambridge, or you can ride all the way into Boston on either the commuter rail or the Green Line and then make your way out to Kendall from there.
Milton’s Planning Board is starting to develop contingency rezoning plans in case the Supreme Judicial Court orders the municipality to come into compliance with the MBTA Communities law.
Days before attorneys representing Massachusetts state government and the town of Milton face off in a dispute over the MBTA Communities law, Gov. Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell sought to spotlight the cities and towns that are taking the opposite tack.
The two sides warring over Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s property tax shift proposal huddled in Senate President Karen Spilka’s office Thursday afternoon, but emerged with no sign of an agreement.
Three former attorneys general, two towns, one state rep and a number of advocates and industry groups have all filed briefs with the the Supreme Judicial Court on whether Attorney General Andrea Campbell has the legal authority to compel Milton to comply with the MBTA Communities Act.
MBTA officials are forecasting a nearly $700 million deficit in fiscal 2026, which begins next July. They also say the T will run short of cash to pay its bills some time between July and September next year.
Before the end of the decade, commuters should be able to zip from Boston through Springfield and all the way up past Albany twice a day via rail. That is, if plans for the West-East Rail expansion chug along smoothly.
Vice President Kamala Harris has gone further than that feel-good platitude and put a number on her housing vow, saying her administration would build 3 million additional housing units over four years if she wins November’s presidential election.
Sources say the side-meetings grew out of concern about the slow pace of the task force and frustration with the Healey administration’s push for a “tool kit” of revenue options rather than a curated list of preferred options.
“We’re at the fiscal cliff,” the agency’s top budget official warned. That would mean the Legislature would have to pass some sort of revenue package for the T early in the year, or else the agency might be forced to start laying off workers
Milton is not putting all of its eggs in one basket as it tries to convince the Supreme Judicial Court that the town doesn’t have to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, but it’s coming pretty close.
With policymakers leaning toward a basket full of revenue-raising options to fund transportation, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council tried to kickstart the debate on Wednesday by analyzing three relatively minor initiatives that combined would raise between $250 million and $400 million a year.
Winthrop isn’t alone in edging towards joining Milton and Holdon. Medway recently sent a letter to several state government officials opposing the content of the law itself.
When it comes to fighting back against a new state law aimed at getting communities to welcome more housing, Winthrop could be the next Milton.
Following an appeal from Gov. Maura Healey, the leaders of the House and Senate said late Friday that they are willing to call a special formal session of the Legislature to approve an economic development bond bill.
