The Fair Share amendment plays a crucial role in this, but it should not be the solution that continues to put the MBTA’s budget back on track every time it goes off the rails. Photo: Mike Steinhoff via Creative Commons 2.0
January 14, 2025 (Boston, MA) – Governor Maura Healey announced a transportation funding proposal that aims to stabilize the MBTA’s funding crisis and invests $8 billion over 10 years in the state’s transportation system, using a greater portion of revenue from the Fair Share Amendment. The state also released a report by Healey’s appointed Transportation Funding Task Force. Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) released the following statement in response.
“We’re encouraged to see the Healey administration address the immediate funding crisis,” said Seth Gadbois, CLF Staff Attorney. “The Fair Share amendment plays a crucial role in this, but it should not be the solution that continues to put the MBTA’s budget back on track every time it goes off the rails. Any long term solution requires the Governor and Legislature to explore new revenue sources for a transportation system that will build stronger, healthier, and better-connected communities for all.”
As part of the Transit Is Essential coalition and with Transportation for Massachusetts, Conservation Law Foundation in December released Funding Our Future: A Roadmap for an Equitable and Sustainable Transportation Funding System in Massachusetts. Signed by over 40 partners, the report offers clear, actionable solutions to rebuild the state’s crumbling transportation system by shifting away from short-term fixes like fare hikes and toward long-term, impactful policies aimed at reducing congestion, cutting pollution, electrifying public transit, and giving people the freedom to choose how to move.
CLF experts are available for further comment.
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