Legislation
News topics:
What’s In (And What’s Out Of) the New Reconciliation Bill For Sustainable Transport
Most programs favored by sustainable transportation advocates have survived negotiations over the massive social infrastructure package that's held up the country's transportation ambitions for months — though a few of them have gotten a little skinnier.
November 2, 2021
State House Update: New Bills Would Tackle Racial Profiling, Traffic Enforcement Cameras, E-Bikes
Last week, two legislative committees – the Joint Committee on Transportation and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security – hosted public hearings to discuss bills that could affect traffic rules and enforcement across the Commonwealth.
October 19, 2021
Federal E-Car Incentives Get $4B, E-Bikes Still In Limbo
U.S. motorists may soon be eligible for up to $12,500 in grants to purchase electric cars, thanks to a new fund folded into the Democrats' reconciliation package — but benefits for e-bike purchasers may be far more modest and aggressively means-tested, unless advocates speak out.
September 20, 2021
Reconciliation Looking Good For Sustainable Transportation (So Far)
New House legislation coming out of Peter DeFazio's committee could restore some of what sustainable transportation advocates lost during the negotiations over the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill — without technically breaking President Biden's promises to the GOP.
September 14, 2021
Mass. Fiscal Alliance Launches Referendum to Overturn Key Climate Policy
Earlier this week, the Massachusetts Attorney General's office certified a ballot question that, if it's approved by voters in 2022, would "prohibit Massachusetts from imposing any tax, fee, revenue-generating measure, or market-based compliance measure if it would reduce or restrict the supply of gasoline."
September 2, 2021
Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Buy Big Projects, But Not Long-Term Fiscal Stability
A massive influx of federal funds (and the looming possibility of a major federal infrastructure bill) is shoring up budgets at the state's major transit agencies in spite of the past year's dip in ridership and fare collections, and opening up possibilities for funding major projects, like the electrification of the regional rail network and a new link between the Red and Blue lines in downtown Boston.
August 25, 2021
Report: Bigger Bike Budgets Boost the Boom
August 25, 2021
‘Very Flawed’ Infrastructure Bill Passes Senate, Imperfect Reconciliation Bill Looms
The massive infrastructure bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday won't meet the challenges of ending climate change and the U.S. traffic violence crisis, leaving core elements of those critical agendas up to a messy House debate, advocates said.
August 10, 2021
Active Transportation Advocates See Silver Lining in Infrastructure Bill
A handful of critical policy changes buried in the bipartisan infrastructure megabill may quietly revolutionize life for people who walk and roll through U.S. cities — especially if it's amended to include other progressive items a House bill.
August 4, 2021
State House Update: Lawmakers Override Gov. Baker’s Transit Budget Veto
The Legislature overrode Baker's veto to approve a small budget increase for the Commonwealth's Regional Transit Authorities.
August 2, 2021
