On Wednesday, March 12th the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors voted to increase the fees for some Registry of Motor Vehicle (RMV) transactions. RMV fees go directly into the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and are used “…exclusively for financing transportation-related purposes.” The new vehicle registration fee for non-commercial vehicles will increase from $50 …
H3873 – An Act relative to natural gas leaks
Senator Brownsberger recently wrote a letter to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means in support of H3873 – An Act relative to natural gas leaks: March 13, 2014 Senator Stephen M. Brewer, Chair Senate Committee on Ways and Means Room 212 State House Boston, MA 02133 Dear Chairman Brewer, H3873, “An Act relative to …
Continue reading “H3873 – An Act relative to natural gas leaks”
Grade Retention
Senator Brownsberger, I wanted to bring to your attention the alarming rates of grade retention in our Boston schools. I believe that there are multiple reasons why our Boston students are being held back, i.e. mental health disorders, ESL, adverse acculturation, special education, truancy, to name a few. Specifically, there are quite a few schools …
Sierra Club Priorities
Members of the Sierra Club have recently been sending me a form email as appearing below. I’m on record in support of much of this legislation, and in fact, a sponsor or cosponsor of much of it. I’m hopeful that we can make progress in this area and I’m happy to get additional specific input …
Concerns about the budget for Boston Public Schools
Senator Brownsberger has heard from many concerned parents about budget cuts to certain public schools in Boston. Budget allocations are, of course, up to the BPS, but he has worked to get more state aid for education. This coming year, some schools are up and some are down, as this statement from the Mayor’s Government Relations Director explains: “BPS …
Continue reading “Concerns about the budget for Boston Public Schools”
Transportation Bond Bill – Local Projects
Last Thursday, March 6th, the Senate passed its version of the Transportation Bond Bill, authorizing $13 billion of capital spending over the next 5 years. The House passed its version on January 29th. Senator Brownsberger in collaboration with House and Senate colleagues secured funding for several projects that will impact residents of Allston, Back Bay, …
Continue reading “Transportation Bond Bill – Local Projects”