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.
A business-backed group wants the state legislature to resolve a projected funding gap at the MBTA this year, saying the high stakes include Boston’s recovery from pandemic impacts and the safety and reliability of the heavily-used transit system.
Public transportation is on the verge of an “existential crisis,” a key transit watchdog warned, as the MBTA moves ahead with a budget plan that drains its reserves in the face of a looming deficit and uncertainty about Beacon Hill’s approach to long-term funding fixes.
We can now raise expectations on what should come next and demand ambitious schedules for the transformational infrastructure changes this region deserves.
Some of Massachusetts’ wealthiest residents are protesting a proposal to add a surtax on any income a resident earns over $1 million.
A new poll of Massachusetts voters finds 67 percent still think big changes are needed to the state transportation system, despite a dramatic increase in working from home among white-collar workers.
The Senate turned back efforts Thursday to remove new municipal taxing powers from a transportation bond bill, rejecting an amendment from Democrat Sen. Diana DiZoglio that would have scrapped plans for binding regional ballot initiatives.
With a vote possible in the House next week on a transportation revenue bill, the details of such a package remain in development and its possible components include measures dealing with the gas tax and ride-share fees.
As state leaders try to figure out how to pay for the investments advocates – and now business and transportation leaders – say Massachusetts needs to fix its current traffic nightmare, stay economically competitive and decarbonize its economy, a new report from A Better City outlines one possible solution.
A majority of residents want to see significant improvements to the commuter rail system, but they also believe the costs should not be passed along to riders in the form of higher fares or an increased gas tax, according to a new poll.
Business organizations that have resisted new or higher taxes to funnel more money into public transportation are hitting back at the advocacy group Raise Up Massachusetts and its call for an “economically progressive” revenue package, delivering a one-two punch as this week began.
In response to a recent report by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, the head of the Worcester Regional Transit Agency said the agency is looking at going fare-free as it considers new fare collection technology.
Although the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board unanimously approved the authority’s $2.1 billion budget Monday, members renewed calls for new forms of transportation revenue after warnings from an outside review group about the T’s finances.
The MBTA has a developing employee shortage, unable to replace as many as 500 employees who have departed since 2015.
Opening the door for a near-term debate over transportation and transportation financing on Beacon Hill, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said he is open to tax hikes or just about any other prescription to address the state’s critical needs – but he first wants to know what businesses will support.
