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Denise Provost
Somerville Stateside |
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Contact Information
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Representative Denise Provost
State House, Room 473B
Boston, MA 02133
Office phone number is: 617-722-2263
Fax number is: 617-722-2837
Email address is: denise.provost@mahouse.gov.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Denise
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| Transportation Bond Bill in Committee | |
The good news is that, after months of promises, the Governor has filed a Transportation Bond Bill, authorizing the state to borrow $885 million for road, bridge, rail, and transit improvements. The Bond Bill also includes language to create a State Infrastructure Bank, something I have proposed in the Transportation Finance Reform bills I filed last session and this session. I am not sold on the details of the Governor's proposal, but expect that this section of the bill (Section 11) will be subject to further discussion and amendment.
What's missing from the bill? There is no more capital spending authorized for the Green Line Extension (GLX), for which Secretary Davey said, MassDOT would use "existing authorizations for the phased approach" that MassDOT has adopted. There is no mention of the MBTA budget shortfall. I asked a MassDOT staffer about the possibility of using bonded funds towards MBTA's $161 million budget gap - admittedly not a "best practices" approach, but something which as been done in the past - and the staffer replied that this was not something MassDOT wished to do "in the future."
Which leaves, still unanswered, the question - what now?
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| MBTA Troubles |
On February 28, 2012, I moderated a panel discussion on SCATV about the MBTA's budget shortfall, how it came about, and possible solution. Staff attorney Rafael Mares from the Conversation Law Foundation (CLF), Ellin Reisner from the Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP) and Victory Allah from Urban Family Outreach (UFO) participated in the discussion.
Then, on March 6, 2012, I was interviewed on the same subject - MBTA's proposed service cuts and fare hikes - by Joe Lynch, on his "Greater Somerville" program. To view that show, click here. |
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Grounding McGrath: Study Delivers Alternative Designs |
At the March 7 meeting of the Grounding McGrath working group, MassDOT presented four conceptual designs for rebuilding McGrath Highway (Route 28) as an at-grade roadway. Maps of, and notes on, the design alternatives can be viewed at: http://massdot.state.ma.us/groundingmcgrath.
There was a lot of discussion and feedback at the meeting. I would be interested in hearing from you about which design approach you think would work best. Contact me at: denise.provost@mahouse.gov. |
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Route 99 Bridge Construction - Service Announcement | |
This weekend, on the evenings of March 17 and March 18, the Alford Street Bridge, on Route 99 between Everett in Charlestown, will be closed from 11:00pm to 5:00am for necessary construction. For more information, visit MassDOT's website. |
| Big Banks Multi-State Settlement Announcement | |
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley recently announced that Massachusetts mortgage borrowers will receive an estimated $318 million in assistance as part of a $25 billion nationwide state/federal settlement with mortgage lenders over unlawful loan servicing practices and
foreclosures. If you have a mortgage loan with any of these institutions, please contect them at the numbers belowto obtain more information about specific loan modification programs and whether they qualify under terms of the state/federal settlement:
Bank of America: 1-877-488-7814
Citi: 1-866-272-4749
Chase: 1-866-372-6901
GMAC: 1-800-766-4622
Wells Fargo: 1-800-288-3212
More information can be found on the state-federal settlement at the websites below:
www.mass.gov/ago/
www.NationalMortgageSettlement.com
www.HUD.gov
http://www.justice.gov/
Consumers who may have additional questions about the settlement or other concerns can submit a complaint online or call the Attorney General's dedicated mortgage settlement phone line at (617) 963-2170. Consumers may also contact the Attorney General's office at the following email address agocs@state.ma.us. |
| Employment Opportunities |
Firefighter Exam
The Massachusetts Human Resources Division (HRD) has scheduled a Municipal Service Firefighter Examination that will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2012. Applicants can visit the Human Resources Division at: www.mass.gov/civilservice for a detailed description of the application procedures, specific minimum entrance requirements, and important information about the Entry Level Physical Abilities Test (ELPAT). Applicants are encouraged to apply on-line for this examination.
Workers Rights Organizer at Centro Presente
Centro Presente is looking for a highly motivated Workers Rights Organizer who is dedicated to social and economic justice. Job duties include organizing immigrant workers in the Greater Boston area who are experiencing labor rights abuses, and advocating for justice on their behalf. For more information on this position, visit Centro's website. To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and two letters of reference to Executive Director, Patricia Montes.
2012 Clean Energy Internship Program
The Executive Office of Energy has announcedthe launch of the 2012 Clean Energy Internship Program. This program provides stipends for clean energy companies in Massachusetts to hire college students and recent college graduates as interns. Interns gain valuable work experience, and an opportunity to develop connections in the field. Students can post resumes and cover letters at www.cleanenergyeducation.org. Clean energy companies will contact applicants directly for interviews. There is no deadline for applications, but students are strongly encouraged to submit resumes and cover letters as soon as possible. |
| Housing Sought | | Female architecture student looking to rent room near Red Line station. Local references. Please contact: baishuibaishui@gmail.com |
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