Regional ballot initiatives would let Massachusetts communities raise local transportation funds, MAPC tells revenue committee

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) urged the Joint Committee on Revenue to back House Bill 3050, which would enable regional ballot initiatives to raise revenue for local and regional transportation projects.

Lizzie Wyant, MAPC’s executive director, told the committee the agency represents 100 cities and towns in Greater Boston and that regional ballot initiatives have been used across the country to finance projects such as road repairs, public-transportation expansion and bike-share programs. “Regional ballot initiatives provide the opportunity to raise money locally and spend it locally,” Wyant said, adding that such funds typically do not cover entire project costs but can reduce demand on state dollars and improve competitiveness for federal funds.

Wyant said in the 2024 elections voters approved 46 of 53 transportation ballot initiatives nationwide and that Massachusetts lacks comparable authority, which limits local options for funding priorities. She said the state’s transportation system needs significant financial investment and that HB3050 would give municipalities another tool to invest in projects they prioritize.

Wyant said MAPC would follow up with written testimony and answered committee questions during the hearing. No committee votes or formal actions on HB3050 were recorded in the transcript segment provided.