Massachusetts supplemental budget bill includes $18 million for MBTA
A $74.2-million supplemental budget bill for Fiscal Year 2020 in Massachusetts has been filed by the Baker-Polito Administration to address budget deficiencies. The bill includes $18 million to support Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) infrastructure and safety investments, as well as funds for education and clean drinking water.
“This legislation will provide additional resources to enhance the safety of MBTA infrastructure, improve local schools and support testing for PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies,” said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. “We look forward to working with the legislature to pass this bill into law and deliver these much-needed investments.”
The additional $18 million provided to the MBTA in the supplemental bill when combined with the $32 million authorized in the FY19 final supplemental budget bill, would bring the authority’s authorized spending to $50 million and would support additional staff, contractors and other resources. The commonwealth explains that the resources are necessary to expedite the completion of critical capital projects, enable proactive inspections to detect and address safety and reliability issues before they impact service and implement enhanced maintenance procedures to ensure the reliable operation of MBTA vehicles and infrastructure.
“Our administration is committed to supporting growth and development for our community partners throughout the commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “These meaningful investments support public transit, health care and education priorities in a responsible manner and provide needed funding for local municipalities across Massachusetts.”
The supplemental budget bill will move to the House and Senate of the commonwealth for consideration.
“The commonwealth is expected to have sufficient revenues to finance these appropriations and measures in Fiscal Year 2020,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “This supplemental spending proposal continues the Baker-Polito Administration’s focus on improving public infrastructure, services and programs in a reliable and fiscally disciplined way.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
