Salem Mayor: Give Voters Voice On Transportation Projects

SALEM, MA -- Mayor Kim Driscoll penned a Boston Globe commentary that appeared in Sunday's editions urging the state to allow ballot initiatives on state transportation projects that are funded with local tax revenue. Increasing public transportation has been a key plank of the Driscoll administration, and Driscoll used her platform to answer the newspaper's question of "Should the state allow regional transportation ballot initiatives?" with an "emphatic yes."

"Voters are best equipped to decide whether proposed transportation projects are right for their communities, and whether to raise dedicated taxes to fund them," Driscoll wrote. "Whether you’re frustrated with how long it takes to commute even small distances, want better bike and walking accommodations, or support enhanced community shuttle options, it’s clear that we can and must collectively do better to address our transportation needs."

The state legislature is considering a bill that would have Massachusetts join other states where municipalities can propose ballot questions to fund transportation projects. The commentary appeared along side one opposing the measure by Tom Mountain, a Newton resident who is a member of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee.

"The timing of this couldn’t be more inane. Thanks to Governor Charlie Baker’s sound fiscal policies, state revenues for fiscal 2018 are projected to end up $1.2 billion above estimates, with a projected surplus of $150 million-$200 million. And still Democratic politicians cry that the state’s transportation costs can only be met by more taxes.," Mountain wrote.

See the full versions of the dueling commentaries on the Boston Globe. Subscribe to Salem Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.