Transportation Bond Bill Summary
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS:
We did get some provisions that will help my district including $108 million earmark to complete the renovation of Charles Circle that will result in an expansion of the Esplanade and Mass Eye and Ear, $30 million earmark to make Hynes green line station ADA accessible, authority for MassDOT to complete the Grand Junction bike path so that it connects Boston to Cambridge to Somerville, and authority to MassDOT to connect the blue line to the red line.
OVERALL SUMMARY:
East-West Rail (Boston-Albany)
Low-Income fare program for MBTA & RTAs
Decriminalization of fare evasion & decreased fines
TNC Fees - $0.40 for shared rides, $1.20 for non-shared, additional $1 for luxury rides, additional $0.20 fee for rides that originate & terminate in MBTA service area. 25% to municipalities of origin, 50% to Commonwealth Transportation Fund, 25% to Transit Authority Fund. Also includes a lot of data reporting requirements.
Commission on roadway & congestion pricing
Student Loan Borrowers Bill of Rights & Student Loan Assistance Trust Fund
Housing Choices, seemingly with changes, particularly related to smart growth zoning districts and some considerations for affordability, though I'm not clear on the circumstances
Healthy Soils Program
Tourism Destination Marketing Districts
Tax credits for cranberry bog renovations
MOBD rural business supports
Personal Vehicle Sharing programs
Tenant's association right of first refusal
Record sealing for no-fault evictions
Prohibition on delivery services charging fee for use of its services, and caps delivery fees to 15% of order price. Prohibits them from reducing compensation to driver or garnishing gratuities to compensate
Special commission on the impact of automation, artificial intelligence, global trade, the internet on workforce, business, economy
Special commission on journalism in underserved communities
Special commission on the needs of agriculture in the Commonwealth in the 21st century