Inadequate public transportation has long been a shared concern for Gateway City leaders across the state. Many of their residents are simply trapped on nights and weekends, when bus service is either extremely infrequent or entirely unavailable. This has serious implications for individual health and wellbeing. It also reduces the available workforce, and regional economic
Amendment to House budget seeks to untap Gateway City housing reservoir
The Gateway Cities Journal
The House Ways & Means Committee unveiled its FY24 budget and an accompanying tax package last week. The pair of bills call for investing more than $1 billion to respond to the state’s housing crisis. This is roughly double the state’s annual housing spend pre-COVID. Unfortunately, the House departed from the Healey administration and left
Poll: More than three-quarters of Massachusetts residents support boosting funding for regional bus service
79% of Massachusetts residents support increasing funding for the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)
As lawmakers on Beacon Hill dig in on this year’s state budget, 79% of Massachusetts residents support increasing funding for the state’s 15 Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), which provide local bus and paratransit service beyond the reaches of MBTA bus and subway service. Nearly as many (74%) support using some of the new voter-approved surtax
Governor Healey’s budget invests in Gateway Cities
The Gateway Cities Journal
Our last journal offered thoughts on how Governor Healey can position Gateway Cities to thrive in this post-pandemic era by increasing the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), investing in regional transit, and lowering commuter rail fares. Now that the administration has unveiled its first budget, our readers will want to know, how did they do?
Gov. Healey can make a bold statement with HDIP, commuter rail fares, and RTA funding in FY24 budget
The Gateway Cities Journal
Governor Healey’s first budget will provide the opening look at the administration’s policy priorities. This glimpse comes at what is almost certainly a defining moment for Massachusetts. After a long string of success, the state’s economy faces serious peril, brought on by a potent combination of the COVID-19 shock, regulation inhibiting housing production, and systemic
Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) Updated Analysis of Program Data
Data provided to MassINC by DHCD as result of public records request (Jan. 2023) February 3, 2023 Bottom Line: HDIP is the state’s most efficient housing development program to date, costing an average of only $23,664 per unit and resulting in the production of 2,687 new units in Gateway City downtowns and transit areas so
Five Gateway City bills to watch this session
The Gateway Cities Journal
Last Friday was “docket day” on Beacon Hill, the deadline for filing legislation for consideration during the 2023 – 2024 session. The co-chairs of the Gateway Cities caucus presented five hefty bills. As a package, the complementary and commonsense policy proposals contained in these bills would offer a huge infusion of energy for Gateway City
Simply Having a Wonderful MassINC Time
Our 2022 year-end wrap-up
Simply Having a Wonderful MassINC Time (loosely adapted from Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime”) [Verse 1] The mood is right The spreadsheet’s up The data’s clean And that’s enough [Chorus] Simply having a wonderful MassINC time Simply having a wonderful MassINC time [Verse 2] The meeting’s on Each city here From Chicopee East to Revere [Chorus]
A Gateway Cities Strategy for the Healey–Driscoll Administration
Transition Briefing Memorandum
Governor Healey takes office at a pivotal moment. State government must deploy a deluge of federal resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The mandate to leverage this unprecedented investment to combat the commonwealth’s two most existential threats—climate change and rising inequality—has never
Tis’ the season for social infrastructure
The Gateway Cities Journal
A few days after MassINC unveiled a new report on the crucial role of social infrastructure for urban vitality and resilience, Groundwork Lawrence brought the concept to life at its annual Glow Gala. The event took place in Youth Development Organization’s new space at Everett Mills. The historic building spans four blocks along the edge of downtown Lawrence.