Connect with us

Massachusetts

Massachusetts House budget writers propose spending on emergency shelters, public transit

Published

on

Massachusetts House budget writers propose spending on emergency shelters, public transit


Politics

FILE – Massachusetts House Speaker Ronald Mariano and fellow Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka speak at an event at the Massachusetts Statehouse in Boston, Sept. 26, 2023. AP Photo/Steve LeBlanc, File
Advertisement

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts House leaders unveiled a proposed $57.9 billion state budget for the 2025 fiscal year that would include $500 million for the state’s emergency shelter system and what lawmakers say is a record investment of $555 million for the beleaguered Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

The $500 million for emergency shelters is about half of what Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said is likely needed for the program, which is straining in part because of an influx of migrants seeking shelter.

Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the $555 million investment in the MBTA — and another $184 million for regional transit authorities across the state — is key to the state’s economy.

“Ensuring that the commonwealth is equipped with a safe and reliable public transportation system is critical for the prosperity of our residents and communities, and will be vital in our future efforts to grow the economy,” Mariano said in a written statement.

Mariano said the proposed funding would represent a 41 percent increase in transportation funding from the current fiscal year. He said the proposed investment relies in part on funds generated by the so-called “millionaire tax” ballot initiative that voters approved in November of 2022, which established a 4% surtax on annual income above $1 million.

Advertisement

The proposed budget also includes $20 million for reduced MBTA fares for riders with lower incomes.

Budget writers said they were able to create a balanced spending plan without dipping into the state’s rainy day fund. Under the plan, the fund is on track to top $9 billion, one of the biggest state rainy day funds in the country.

The full House is expected to begin debate on the spending plan next week.

Healey released her version of the state budget in January.

Healey’s $58 billion plan included several proposals she previewed during her State of the Commonwealth address, including lowering the staggering cost of housing and childcare and making Massachusetts “the climate innovation lab for the world.”

Advertisement

Healey said her proposal doesn’t rely on any new broad-based taxes and also wouldn’t require a withdrawal from the state’s rainy day fund.

It would spend a then-anticipated $1.3 billion raised from the voter-approved “millionaire tax” on transportation and education, including a universal school meals program and a low-income fare relief program for greater Boston’s public transit system.

After the House votes on its budget proposal, the debate heads to the Senate, which will draft and vote on its own state budget plan.

It will then be up to a six-member conference committee of House and Senate members to hammer out a single budget proposal to send back to each chamber for a final vote before shipping it to Healey’s desk.

Advertisement





Source link

Massachusetts

Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

Published

on

Wrong-way crash closes I-495 southbound in Chelmsford, 1 seriously injured – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


CHELMSFORD, MASS. (WHDH) – A wrong-way driver crashed into another vehicle on I-495 in Chelmsford Tuesday night, shutting down the soundbound lanes in that area, according to Massachusetts State Police and The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

State police said Troopers from the Concord Barracks responded to a two-car crash on I-495 at the Hunt Road overpass shortly before 10 p.m. They said preliminary information indicates the crash happened as a result of a wrong-way driver striking a vehicle traveling in the correct direction.

Chelmsford Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and the driver was taken to the hospital by MedFlight. State police said they suffered life-threatening injuries.

MassDOT said the highway southbound is currently closed at exit 88 due to the crash, and is expected to remain closed for several hours.

Advertisement

Drivers are asked to seek alternate routes at this time.

This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Massachusetts

Two stabbed at Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods plant in Haverhill

Published

on

Two stabbed at Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods plant in Haverhill


Two people were seriously injured in a stabbing at the Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods manufacturing facility in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on Tuesday morning.

Haverhill police said they responded to the Cedar’s plan on Foundation Avenue around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a disturbance involving a weapon. When they arrived, they found two people suffering from apparent stab wounds.

Both people were provided with medical assistance on scene and taken to area hospitals with what police described as serious injuries. Their names have not been released, and no update on their conditions was immediately available.

Preliminary investigation determined that the two people knew each other, and police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. They said their investigation into the incident remains active.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Massachusetts

Injured Massachusetts teen thanks rescuers who

Published

on

Injured Massachusetts teen thanks rescuers who



Two Plymouth, Massachusetts teens were saved from the summit of Mount Washington after a leg injury stranded them.

Khang Nguyen,17, said he and his friend, 18-year-old Vaughn Webb, thought they were well prepared for their hike on Saturday. They brought trekking poles, layers, microspikes for their boots and more. 

But halfway up the trail, Nguyen feared the worst when his leg began to hurt. 

Advertisement

“It was just incredibly painful to lift up my right leg,” he explained. “I told [Vaughn] to leave me behind so I could go on my own pace and for him to reach the summit to get help at first.” 

The pair managed to reach the top of the mountain but had to seek shelter next to a building as wind gusts increased, and the air temperature reached 38 degrees. Nguyen said they also ran out of food and water. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department received the 911 call around 7:30 p.m. and quickly alerted a State Park employee who began to search for the two teens.

“Conservation Officers then began responding in four-wheel-drive pickup trucks to try and get to the summit and back ahead of incoming snow,” the game department said in a statement. 

After around 30 minutes of reaching both Webb and Nguyen were found. They were taken inside a building and Nguyen was being treated for his injury.

“The worker that was up there, [said] that they came in record time, and we appreciate their help a lot. It saved our lives potentially,” Nguyen explained. 

Advertisement

The pair was successfully taken off the mountain by 10 p.m.  The two teens are now safely back in Massachusetts and are incredibly grateful to their rescuers. 



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending