Alewife traffic update

Slow progress continues in efforts to address traffic issues in the Alewife area, one of the most congested areas in the state. Expectations for improvement should remain low.

Regional transportation plans starved, despite stimulus package

Yesterday, I sat in on a meeting where the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization struggled to define the long-term parameters of a financially realistic Transportation Improvement Plan. Locally, the tight planning environment will likely mean further delay in the Belmont-Trapelo Corridor project (my primary concern in the meeting) and perhaps other projects.

FY10 budget line item updates * 1 comment

Table of notable FY10 budget line items, updated with finalized numbers for the fy10 budget as determined by the joint House and Senate Conference Committee.

Support An Override for the Governor’s Veto of the Mentoring Matching Grants Line Item * 1 comment

I’m writing this email both as a constituent of your district and twitter follower, as well as an advocate for youth mentoring programs. As you know, Governor Patrick vetoed 16 line items from the FY2010 budget on Monday, one of which was the Mentoring Matching Grants line item (7061-9634), which this year supported 21 mentoring [...]

Comment Opportunity on Draft Oceans Management Plan

One of the most significant pieces of legislation that we passed in the 2007-8 session was the Oceans Act, which contemplates a science based planning process for the waters along the Massachusetts coast. The Oceans Advisory Commission is seeking input on a draft plan.

Marijuana, Cocaine and Heroin *7 comments

I’ve been hearing from a number of constituents who are calling for full legalization and taxation of marijuana.

A Virtuous Cycle of Fear and Loathing

There is a lot more to reform, but by any fair reckoning, the last four months of legislative activity have been extraordinarily productive. It didn’t have to turn out that way.

Final Ethics Reform Bill Passed Unanimously

The House voted unanimously in support of far-reaching ethics reform today. The bill included not only core ethics reforms (enhanced penalties for all forms of inappropriate gifts and self-dealing), but also enhanced regulation of lobbying and campaign political finance.