Saturday, April 27, 9am - 12pm
Help clean the Bayou Street marsh area behind the Gorman-Ft. Banks
School near the new pedestrian bridge in Winthrop. Volunteers
needed! Refreshments will be served. Contact
friendsofbelleislemarsh@comcast.net for more info.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Neptune Road Edge Buffer Community Meeting, hosted by Massport
Tuesday,
April 30, 2013, 6:30 pm; Spinelli's, 282 Bennington Street, East Boston
Massport is hosting a Community Meeting to discuss the design progress for the Neptune Road Arport Edge Buffer. Halvorson Design Partnership, Massport's landscape architecture consultant, will present the latest plan based upon community input received at the last meeting. The Neptune Road Buffer parcel is bounded by Vienna Street and Neptune Road. For additional information or questions about the meeting please contact Anthony Guerriero, Assistant Director, Community Relations. 617-568-3739 aguerriero@massport.com
Massport is hosting a Community Meeting to discuss the design progress for the Neptune Road Arport Edge Buffer. Halvorson Design Partnership, Massport's landscape architecture consultant, will present the latest plan based upon community input received at the last meeting. The Neptune Road Buffer parcel is bounded by Vienna Street and Neptune Road. For additional information or questions about the meeting please contact Anthony Guerriero, Assistant Director, Community Relations. 617-568-3739 aguerriero@massport.com
East Boston Ward 1 Republican Committee to meet May 5
The East
Boston Ward 1 Republican Committee will meet Sunday, May 5, 2013 at 10:00 a. m. at the
East Boston YMCA.
East Boston voters who
are registered as undeclared or un-enrolled or as Republicans are invited to
attend. Please call Chris Morton at
(617) 569-4075 for more information about this meeting.
The East
Boston YMCA is at 215 Bremen Street (near the corner of Porter Street) in East
Boston. The MBTA station closest to the
YMCA is the Blue Line’s Airport station.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Rep. Basile extends support to remake transportation finance
From the office of State Representative Carlo Basile.
(BOSTON) – State Representative Carlo P. Basile joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives yesterday in passing a plan to fix long-standing financial problems within the state’s transportation system.
The bill was part of a joint legislative package announced by House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) earlier this month. It sets in motion significant changes to make the transportation system more efficient and accountable, and, recognizing the need for adequate funding, relies upon a carefully-targeted $500 million financing plan. By realigning transportation revenue to support the Transportation Fund, the plan closely ties transportation funding to needs.
“A healthy transportation system allows us to keep and grow jobs in Massachusetts,” Speaker DeLeo said. “Yesterday’s House vote for a carefully calibrated revenue package enables us to fund our transportation system without placing excessive burden on taxpayers. With this vote, we address the needs of businesses and commuters who rely upon our transportation system in a way that encourages economic growth while minimizing the pain on families and employers. It also helps maintain our strong financial standing, which lowers our borrowing costs when they arise.”
“Our joint transportation package addresses the issue thoughtfully and efficiently,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D-Haverhill.). “We recognize the integral role that the Commonwealth’s transportation system plays in the expansion or our economy and in our residents’ quality of life. As a result, our bill makes targeted, statewide investments while addressing the inefficiencies of our current system.”
“This bill presents a balanced and realistic approach for sustaining our state’s transportation system while also providing the resources for expanded future capital improvements,” said Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “This joint legislative proposal provides added reforms and revenues to help meet our need for a modern and safe transportation network in Massachusetts.”
“Thanks to the efforts of Speaker DeLeo and my House Collegues, we now have a means of preserving and improving our transportation system that is critical to the lives of so many people in the Commonwealth,” Carlo P. Basile (D - East Boston) House Chairman of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs said. “Now, with a $500 million dollar financing plan, we can reform our transportation system making it safer and more efficient with little burden on taxpayers.”
The plan includes the following reforms to our transportation system:
* Moves Employees off of the Capital Budget over 3 years;
* Provides forward funding for Regional Transit Authorities;
* Generates Revenue to Cover a Capital Plan;
* Gives MassDOT and the RTAs a long term plan to rely on;
The plan relies upon the following revenue items to finance the funding gap:
* A 3 cent increase to the gas tax (indexed with delay ) to help pay for road and bridges ($110 million);
* $1-per-pack increase on the tobacco excise tax ($165 million);
* Modernizes the tax code on canned software to include modifications to software and computer system planning and design ($161 million);
* Changes to the tax status of utility companies ($83 million).
The bill now moves to the Senate.
(BOSTON) – State Representative Carlo P. Basile joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives yesterday in passing a plan to fix long-standing financial problems within the state’s transportation system.
The bill was part of a joint legislative package announced by House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) earlier this month. It sets in motion significant changes to make the transportation system more efficient and accountable, and, recognizing the need for adequate funding, relies upon a carefully-targeted $500 million financing plan. By realigning transportation revenue to support the Transportation Fund, the plan closely ties transportation funding to needs.
“A healthy transportation system allows us to keep and grow jobs in Massachusetts,” Speaker DeLeo said. “Yesterday’s House vote for a carefully calibrated revenue package enables us to fund our transportation system without placing excessive burden on taxpayers. With this vote, we address the needs of businesses and commuters who rely upon our transportation system in a way that encourages economic growth while minimizing the pain on families and employers. It also helps maintain our strong financial standing, which lowers our borrowing costs when they arise.”
“Our joint transportation package addresses the issue thoughtfully and efficiently,” said Representative Brian S. Dempsey, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Ways & Means (D-Haverhill.). “We recognize the integral role that the Commonwealth’s transportation system plays in the expansion or our economy and in our residents’ quality of life. As a result, our bill makes targeted, statewide investments while addressing the inefficiencies of our current system.”
“This bill presents a balanced and realistic approach for sustaining our state’s transportation system while also providing the resources for expanded future capital improvements,” said Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “This joint legislative proposal provides added reforms and revenues to help meet our need for a modern and safe transportation network in Massachusetts.”
“Thanks to the efforts of Speaker DeLeo and my House Collegues, we now have a means of preserving and improving our transportation system that is critical to the lives of so many people in the Commonwealth,” Carlo P. Basile (D - East Boston) House Chairman of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs said. “Now, with a $500 million dollar financing plan, we can reform our transportation system making it safer and more efficient with little burden on taxpayers.”
The plan includes the following reforms to our transportation system:
* Moves Employees off of the Capital Budget over 3 years;
* Provides forward funding for Regional Transit Authorities;
* Generates Revenue to Cover a Capital Plan;
* Gives MassDOT and the RTAs a long term plan to rely on;
The plan relies upon the following revenue items to finance the funding gap:
* A 3 cent increase to the gas tax (indexed with delay ) to help pay for road and bridges ($110 million);
* $1-per-pack increase on the tobacco excise tax ($165 million);
* Modernizes the tax code on canned software to include modifications to software and computer system planning and design ($161 million);
* Changes to the tax status of utility companies ($83 million).
The bill now moves to the Senate.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Cty budget unveiled at $2.6 billion
From the mayor's press office:
Mayor Menino Submits FY 2014 Budget to City Council
Focuses on delivery of quality services that lift up all neighborhoods
“This
is the twentieth Proposed Budget of my Administration and it shares a
most important trait with the prior nineteen: it pushes us to try new
things.”
– Mayor Thomas M. Menino
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today presented his $2.6 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 and five year $1.8 billion Capital Plan, including $196 million in new FY 2014 project authorizations. The FY 2014 budget includes initiatives that keep Boston at the forefront of reinvention: changes at Boston Public Schools to increase access to quality, new housing to meet the needs of young professionals and middle-class families, and online learning for Boston’s neighborhoods. At the core of the budget is a desire to continue to build neighborhoods, provide residents an unparalleled quality of life, and support neighbors as they help one another.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today presented his $2.6 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2014 and five year $1.8 billion Capital Plan, including $196 million in new FY 2014 project authorizations. The FY 2014 budget includes initiatives that keep Boston at the forefront of reinvention: changes at Boston Public Schools to increase access to quality, new housing to meet the needs of young professionals and middle-class families, and online learning for Boston’s neighborhoods. At the core of the budget is a desire to continue to build neighborhoods, provide residents an unparalleled quality of life, and support neighbors as they help one another.
“This year’s budget invests in our most valuable assets: our people and our neighborhoods,” Mayor Menino said. “Today we are proposing a sound financial plan. It builds on our long history of achieving balanced budgets and at the same time improves delivery of high-quality services that Boston residents expect and deserve. The city’s resources are for all people, not just some, and so in this budget as in the nineteen before it, we invest to raise up every neighborhood.”
The $2.6 billion recommended FY 2014 Operating Budget features a 5.6-percent growth over last year’s budget, an increase of $138.7 million. Property taxes continue to be the City’s largest source of revenue, along with hotel, meals and other excise tax revenue. The City’s second largest source of revenue, net state aid from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is expected to decline by approximately $16 million from FY 2013 budgeted levels. This perpetuates the loss of state aid incurred over the last seven years, now estimated to be about $152 million lower than FY 2008.
The $934.6 million budget for Boston Public Schools for FY 2014 represents a $60.8 million increase over the current year’s budget and builds on the Mayor’s continued efforts to provide high quality schools, close to home, for all of Boston’s families. A new $30 million Quality Improvement Fund will help the Boston Public Schools invest in upgraded school facilities, technology, and teacher quality as the district puts its new home-based school choice plan into place.
The FY 2014 budget focuses on lifting up all of Boston’s neighborhoods through:
- Meeting the housing needs of residents : Mayor Menino’s Housing Boston 2020 initiative will launch, creating 20,000-30,000 units of housing by the year 2020 to accommodate the city’s growing population and its changing needs. Additionally, one million square feet of City-owned real estate will be made available to small builders at below-market prices in 2013 and 2014 to increase homeownership among middle class families.
- Supporting young women: Boston Centers for Youth & Families will designate “Girls Only” time at sites citywide and engage teenage girls in programming that promotes leadership, civic engagement and skill building. Through a partnership with the WAGE project, the City will host negotiation workshops to teach young women the skills required to negotiate for fair pay.
- Engaging youth: For the first time, the City will set aside $1 million for youth to participate in a year-long budgeting process. Through participatory budgeting, young Bostonians will identify projects in their communities, vet those projects and consider trade-offs in making funding decisions.
- Sustaining progress and healthy growth: As the City continues to prepare for impacts of climate change, the Environment Department will update its Climate Action Plan. Boston Public Schools will triple their recycling rate to 20% by June 2014, and 170 new BigBelly trash and recycling receptacles will be added throughout the City and its parks.
The City’s $1.8 billion five-year capital plan features $196 million worth of new project authorizations in 2014. The capital plan’s theme, Cities are Neighborhoods, recognizes
that the City draws its core strength from its neighborhoods.
Significant capital projects slated for funding in FY 2014 include:
- Mayor Menino will continue his investment in the revitalization of Dudley Square, a $115 million development project that will revitalize the historic Ferdinand building and bring new people, businesses, and economic opportunity to Dudley Square. The project broke ground in Spring 2012 and is expected to be completed in Fall 2014.
- The Boston Public Library will begin construction this year on the transformation of the Johnson Building at the Central branch. This project will open the main floor to Boylston Street, improve and expand the Children’s room, and upgrade the Rabb lecture hall. Construction will continue at a stunning new library in East Boston, set to open its doors this fall.
In
January 2014, Mayor Menino’s administration will transition to the next
one. The FY 2014 budget provides funds for a smooth and stable
transition. Resources are provided to be used in the time period before
the November election to lay the groundwork for a transition and, after
the election, for the Mayor-elect to begin to assemble an
administration.
###
Mayor's Coffee Hour in Eastie set for May 16.
Mayor Menino’s Neighborhood Coffee Hour will take place on Thursday, May 16th 9:15 a.m. at the Sumner and Lamson Street Park Opening. Join Mayor Thomas M. Menino for great conversation, delicious coffee with treats, and a chance to meet your neighbors. Take home a plant grown in the City’s greenhouses.
Metropolitan Beaches Commission Reconvenes To Examine Area Beaches From Nahant To Nantasket
BOSTON, April 11, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The Metropolitan Beaches Commission (MBC) has reconvened to assess the state of the Boston Harbor region's public beaches and held its first public hearing, Monday, April 8, 2013. The Commission, originally established in 2006 by the Massachusetts Legislature, will examine the impacts of the reforms and recommendations made in its first report and make recommendations for further improvement under the leadership of co-chairs State Senator Tom McGee and State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein. There will be a second public hearing in May 2013, followed by a hearing in each of the nine communities from Nahant to Nantasket beginning in June 2013.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Competition fierce for casino license; Wynn a major factor
Frank Quaratiello of the Boston Herald
While Wynn and Suffolk both seem to have strong backing, their battle royale could come down to community support in the end, too.
Wynn’s $1.3 billion proposal has won over the hearts and minds of Everett residents, but Suffolk Downs must still contend with a small but vocal group of casino opponents. To make matters even more challenging, Suffolk Downs and its partner Caesars Entertainment must win votes in both Revere and East Boston.
That puts the Wynn Everett casino plan in the driver’s seat.
For Boston residents, only a Suffolk Downs win would give the Hub a piece of the tax-revenue action. A Wynn victory means a huge boost for Everett.
With Mayor Thomas M. Menino retiring, it will be interesting to see whether the casinos become an issue in the campaign to succeed him.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
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