Latest News
January 22 , 2008 -
A Better City testifies at the State House bond bill hearing
Today, A Better City provided testimony at the State House bond bill hearing and urged support for and swift passage of Transportation Bond Bill, HB 4409. Click here to read A Better City's full testimony.
December 19 , 2007 -
A Better City testifies about the need for transportation investment for the life sciences
Today, A Better City provided testimony at a hearing before the Joint Committee on
Economic Development and Emerging Technologies with regard to the Patrick administration's proposed $1 billion life sciences initiative. A Better City outlined how transportation funding is critically important to sustaining a healthy and viable life sciences industry, and how such a funding strategy has the advantage of improving connectivity, accessibility and mobility for other industries in addition to the life sciences.
Click here to read A Better City's full testimony.
December 17 , 2007 -
A Better City has moved! Click here for our new phone numbers.
October 31 , 2007 -
A Better City outlines a transportation investment strategy for the life sciences
Today, A Better City released a report that examines the role of transportation infrastructure in creating stronger and better connections among the institutions and businesses in the life sciences sector. The report, titled Connecting with our Economic Future: A Transportation Investment Strategy for the Life Sciences Cluster, includes a comprehensive set of transportation investment recommendations designed to maintain our competitive edge in the life sciences. These recommendations include short- and longer term recommendations in the areas of capital initiatives, operational initiatives, and policy and planning.
In conjunction with the study release, A Better City also hosted, in partnership with the Massachusetts Life Sciences Collaborative, a panel discussion on the unique dynamic and needs of our growing life sciences industry, and why investing in transportation infrastucture is critical to enabling this industry to grow successfully in the Commonwealth and remain competitive.
Click here to view a transcript of the panel discussion.
April 26, 2007 - ABC Joins Transportation Investment Coalition
Today, A Better City joined a diverse group of environmental, planning, transportation, community, labor, industry and other business organizations to officially launch the Massachusetts “Transportation Investment Coalition” (TIC). This group formed in response to the alarming findings recently released by the state’s Transportation Finance Commission. In late March, the Commission announced that nearly every transportation agency is suffering from budget shortfalls and we face a staggering $15 - $19 billion gap in transportation funding over the next 20 years. For a copy of this report, click here.
The group distributed a press release with further details about the mission and composition of the group. ABC also signed on to a letter to the Legislature announcing the group’s formation, which requests that they take the commission report seriously and advance solutions that address this critical issue.
April 11, 2007 - Collaboration Agreement Announced
This morning Peter Meade, Chair of the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, and William N. McDonough, President of the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MassHort), jointly announced that a formal Collaboration Agreement has been unanimously approved by both Boards of Directors and executed by their respective Chairs. This Agreement is the result of almost two months of discussions between senior staff members, in combination with mediation efforts by Richard A. Dimino, President and CEO of ABC.
The Agreement itself is centered upon the commitment from both organizations to establish and maintain the Greenway in the tradition of the world’s grandest urban parks and open-space destinations. For more information, click here.
March 28, 2007 - Transportation Finance Commission Releases Report
The Transportation Finance Commission released a report today that outlines the “gap” between the resources we have to maintain the Commonwealth’s transportation system, and what’s needed. The figures discussed do not include resources needed for critical enhancement or expansion projects. To download, click here.
March 23, 2007 - Governor Patrick Signs Bond Bill Into Law
Governor Patrick signed today a $1.5 Billion Bond Bill which authorizes the use of general obligation bonds to be used towards funding the immediate capital needs of the Commonwealth. About $800 million of these bond funds are dedicated to roads and bridges, and these funds will be matched by about $1 billion in federal funds.
$100 million is dedicated to mass transit improvements related to the Central Artery/ Tunnel Project SIP Commitments, including the Fairmount Line, the Red Line/Blue Line Connector, and the Green Line to Medford. The remainder of the authorization is dedicated to police cruisers, local water and sewer projects, and state office buildings.
The administration will likely file a second more comprehensive bond bill in July.
January 8, 2007 - Governor Patrick Restores Funds For Greenway
Last July, the Massachusetts Legislature appropriated $31 million for the covering of the ramps on parcels 6, 12 and 18 of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. ABC hailed this move as a critical step towards the realization of several civic and cultural uses hoping to invest on these sites. A Better City feels strongly that the successful development of civic and cultural uses and programs along the Greenway are paramount to completing the vision of these spaces, and that these uses will help activate and ensure the lively enjoyment of the entire area.
In November, Governor Romney eliminated these funds, along with $394 million in other spending, as part of his widely publicized "9C" reductions. Patrick restored all of the funds cut through his first official act as Governor, including the $31 million for the ramp parcels.
October 30, 2006 - ABC Publishes Transcript of Transportation Finance Panel, Hosted with the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation
ABC, together with the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, hosted a panel discussion on October 3, 2006 on the transportation finance challenges facing the Commonwealth and how other states are contending with similar problems.
Michael J. Widmer, President of MassTaxpayers, presented information on the current status of transportation finance in the Commonwealth, while Barry Bluestone, Dean of Northeastern's School of Social Science, Urban Affairs, and Public Policy, put the notion of investing in transportation infrastructure in an economic development context. Joseph M. Giglio, transportation technology and finance expert and Executive Professor at Northeastern's College of Business Administration and Tom Bradshaw, National Managing Director of the Transportation Group at Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and former Secretary of Transportation, North Carolina, spoke about how other states are developing and implementing creative and innovative financing strategies.
Over 100 people attended, representing a wide variety of organizations from across the state. The transcript from the event can be viewed here. To view the presentation made by Tom Bradshaw, please click here.