Severe problems at the MBTA are hardly news, and Governor Charlie Baker has proposed a plan to fix them. Main components of the Governor's plan include instituting a financial control board to oversee operations, increasing transparency about MBTA finances, temporarily suspending the Pacheco Law to allow more flexibility in privatizing some services, and generally providing more flexibility to make the MBTA work better, sooner. Want more details on what's gone wrong? Click here.
In its version of the FY 2016 budget, the Senate unanimously joined the state House by including a financial control board, which is very helpful but only a first step. Predictably, however, many have risen to defend the status quo, including labor leaders who consider the Governor's plan an attempt "to put us back in the projects." Some, particularly in the state Senate, have suggested they don't think more significant changes are necessary, but that minor tweaks here and there, combined with more money, should solve most of the MBTA's problems.
We agree with Governor Baker, and we hope you do, too. Below, based on the feedback we have received, we've listed all 40 state senators and their public position in relation to the Governor’s MBTA legislation. To join our efforts to help the rest of Governor Baker's plan get the support it merits, please call your state legislators today:
If your state senator has publicly indicated support for the bulk of the Governor's plan, let him or her know you appreciate their stance and urge them to stand firm.
If your state senator has publicly indicated opposition to the Governor's plan, urge him or her to reconsider.
And if your senator hasn't publicly said much either way, encourage him or her to come out in favor to help build momentum toward a better MBTA for our Commonwealth.
And if you have questions for us? Feel free to ask those, too!
BROADLY IN FAVOR OF GOV. BAKER'S PROPOSAL
Phone: 617-722-1280
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Back Bay, Belmont, Waverley, Yawkey
Subway Stops In District: Back Bay, Green Line (B - west of Copley; E - between Longwood and Copley), Silver Line (part), Tufts Medical Center
MassFiscal Poll Result: 82% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1330
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Kingston, Plymouth, (Cape Flyer - seasonal)
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1420
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 83% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1646
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Cohasset, East Weymouth, Greenbush, Nantasket Junction, North Scituate, S. Weymouth, W. Hingham, Weymouth Landing/E. Braintree
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1415
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 75% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1555
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Attleboro, Needham Heights, Norfolk, S. Attleboro, Wellesley Square
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1600
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Gloucester, Hamilton/Wenham, Ipswich, Manchester, N. Wilmington, Rockport, Rowley, W. Gloucester, Wilmington
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
ON THE FENCE
Phone: 617-722-1572
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Brandeis/Roberts, Concord, Hastings, Kendal Green, Lincoln, Silver Hill, Waltham, W. Concord
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 86% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1544
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Worcester
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 90% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1673
Commuter Rail Stops In District:Forest Hills, Ruggles
Subway Stops In District: Forest Hills, Green Line (E - west of Longwood Medical Area), Green St., Jackson Square, Mass. Ave, Roxbury Crossing, Ruggles, Silver Line (parts), Stony Brook
MassFiscal Poll Result: 67% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1673
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Auburndale, Newtonville, Wellesley Farms, Wellesley Hills, W. Newton
Subway Stops In District: Green Line (C and D - west of Kenmore)
MassFiscal Poll Result: 81% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1650
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Chelsea, North Station
Subway Stops In District: Central, Community College, Harvard, Lechmere, North Station, Science Park/West End, Sullivan Square
MassFiscal Poll Result: 80% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1432
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Anderson/Woburn, Mishawum, N. Billerica
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 84% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1630
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Lowell
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 84% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1625
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 61% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1120
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Ayer, Littleton/495, Shirly, S. Acton, Southborough, Westborough
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 86% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1230
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Fitchburg, N. Leominster
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 89% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1150
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Four Corners/Geneva, JFK/UMass, Morton St., Newmarket, Talbot Ave, Uphams Corner
Subway Stops In District: Andrew, Ashmont, Broadway, Chinatown, Fields Corner, JFK/UMass, Red Line - Mattapan Extension, Savin Hill, Shawmut, Silver Line (parts)
MassFiscal Poll Result: 72% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1540
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 87% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1578
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Porter, Wedgmere, W. Medford
Subway Stops In District: Alewife, Assembly, Davis, Porter, Wellington
MassFiscal Poll Result: 81% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1643
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Canton Center, Canton Junction, Holbrook/Randolph, Stoughton
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 92% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1494
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Abington, Braintree, Quincy Center
Subway Stops In District: Braintree, North Quincy, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston
MassFiscal Poll Result: 83% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1200
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Brockton, Campello, Hanson, Halifax, Montello, Whitman
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1604
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Andover, Ballardvale, Lawrence
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 88% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1291
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 62% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1206
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Greenwood, Malden Center, Melrose Cedar Park, Melrose Highlands, Reading, Wakefield, Winchester Center, Wyoming Hill
Subway Stops In District: Malden Center, Oak Grove
MassFiscal Poll Result: 87% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1410
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Beverly Depot, Beverly Farms, Montserrat, N. Beverly, Prides Crossing, Salem
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 88% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1440
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 74% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1485
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Grafton
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1604
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Bradford, Haverhill, Newburyport
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 86% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1634
Commuter Rail Stops In District: S. Station
Subway Stops In District: Arlington, Blue Line (all), Boylston, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, Haymarket, Park Street, Silver Line (parts), S. Station
MassFiscal Poll Result: 80% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1604
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Middleboro/Lakeville
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 73% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1532
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 62% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1348
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Bellevue, Dedham Corp. Center, Endicott, Fairmount, Hersey, Highland, Hyde Park, Islington, Needham Center, Needham Junction, Norwood Central, Norwood Depot, Roslindale Village, Rt. 128, W. Roxbury, Windsor Gardens
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1640
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Ashland, Forge Park/495, Framingham, Natick Center, W. Natick
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 87% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1222
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Mansfield, Plimptonville, Sharon, Walpole
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 87% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1660
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 61% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1570
Commuter Rail Stops In District: None (Cape Flyer - seasonal)
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 77% in favor
HAS EXPRESSED OPPOSITION TO GOV. BAKER'S PROPOSAL
Phone: 617-722-1350
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Lynn, River Works, Swampscott
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 85% in favor
Phone: 617-722-1551
Commuter Rail Stops In District: Bridgewater
Subway Stops In District: None
MassFiscal Poll Result: 89% in favor
