With the support of colleagues in the House and Senate, Senator Brownsberger passed an amendment to the supplemental budget that added representatives for Arlington, Belmont, Watertown and other communities to the MassPort Community Advisory Committee. Although the FAA has control over air traffic, MassPort controls airport operations and the inclusion of Arlington, Belmont and Watertown on the CAC will ensure that our communities have a seat at the table.
Author Archives: Andrew Bettinelli
City of Boston Student Housing Report
The City of Boston released this report on student housing that contains information about the size of the student population in neighborhoods across the city. Even though students are increasingly being housed on campus, they will continue to be a significant presence in our neighborhoods for years to come.
Governor’s Special Panel Reports on the Problems of the MBTA
In response to the significant service disruptions experienced across the MBTA system during the winter of 2015, Governor Baker convened a special panel to review the management and operations of the MBTA. The panel has issued a 50 page report of findings. Here are the key findings of the panel.
Proposed Project: Massachusetts Ave Bridge over Commonwealth Avenue in Back Bay Replacement
MassDOT hosted an informational meeting about the proposed Mass. Ave, – Comm. Ave. bridge replacement project. This post includes a brief description of the proposed project, which will include bicycle lanes and will be constructed in summer 2016.
FY16 Budget Priorities Letter to Senate Ways and Means
Today, Senator Brownsberger submitted this letter to the Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee outlining his budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2016. He lists many items of importance, but his top priorities are increased Chapter 70 (education) funding; full funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker Fund; full funding for the Department of Conservation and Recreation; substantial fund increases for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation; full funding of Charter School Reimbursements to local school districts; and full funding of Kindergarten Development Grants.
An act modernizing the business licensing process
We have heard from some Boston residents who are concerned about the potential impacts of “SD420 – An Act relative to modernizing the business licensing process.” The bill would give more control over business licensure to municipalities. The part of the bill that is of interest to most people, of course, is the section that would allow municipalities the ability to set restaurant and bar closing hours.