Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

The Massachusetts Transportation Reform Law

Michael was proud to join with legislative leaders and the Governor in passing the transportation reform law which creates a unified transportation organization, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The law abolishes the Turnpike Authority, makes fundamental advances in simplifying the Commonwealth's transportation departments' infrastructure, and provides for significant cost savings by bringing health and pension benefits in line with other state agencies.

Click here to learn more about the Transportation Reform Law

· Commuter Rail

Working with the Governor's Office and his colleagues in the local legislative delegation, Michael has been a strong advocate in the effort to restore commuter rail service between Fall River and Boston. Michael feels strongly that the South Coast Rail project will encourage economic development and job creation, will attract further investment in the Fall River area, and will address longstanding inequities in transportation services available in the region. The South Coast Rail project has made enormous strides over the past several years and has never been closer to reality.

Click here to learn more about the South Coast Rail Project

· Unprecedented investment in roads & bridges

Michael has actively supported an aggressive and long overdue investment in the Commonwealth's roads and bridges infrastructure. In 2008, Michael and his colleagues in the Legislature approved an ambitious, three-year transportation bond bill which will provide over $2 million worth of Chapter 90 transportation funding to the communities of Fall River and Westport in fiscal year 2010 alone. The funding represents an average 3% increase in transportation funding to both communities despite fiscal challenges.

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