紅襪隊宣佈2020門票售價平均漲1.7％

RED SOX ANNOUNCE AVERAGE PRICE INCREASE

OF 1.7 PERCENT IN 2020

BOSTON, MA – The Red Sox today announced that ticket prices for the 2020 season will rise by an average of 1.7 percent with prices for Diamond and Tiers 1, 2, and 3 games increasing, and prices for Tiers 4 and 5 games decreasing.

The Red Sox will continue to offer special reduced pricing for students, clergy, veterans, and active duty members of the military. All-inclusive “Family 4 Pax” will again be offered periodically throughout the season. Tickets for high school and college students will be available for all games for $9, and the Kid Nation Program presented by Hood, a free program for those 14 and under, will continue to include a Red Sox ticket at no charge in 2020.

Going back to 2009, the club has raised prices by 1.8 percent per year on average with an annual increase of less than 3 percent in 10 of the past 12 seasons.

A breakdown of prices for each non-premium seating category is attached. Also attached is a list of 2020 home games by tier. 

Average Annual Price Increase Since 2009

Season	Average Price Increase
2009	Freeze
2010	3.8%
2011	2.0%
2012	Freeze
2013	Freeze
2014	4.8%
2015	Freeze
2016	1.4%
2017	2.9%
2018	2.5%
2019	2.5%
2020	1.7%

MAYOR WALSH ISSUES CALL TO ACTION TO BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO ADDRESS BOSTON'S HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND EDUCATION CHALLENGES

Mayor celebrates historic progress and challenges business sector leadership to aid in strengthening middle class BOSTON - Tuesday, October 8, 2019 - In his annual speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today laid out his Administration's progress over the last five years in key areas including housing, transportation and education, and issued a call to action to the business community to take what opportunities Boston's progress has brought, and leverage the City's economic success into lasting, positive change for all. With Mayor Walsh's leadership, Boston is a city that is leading the way on building affordable housing, investing in tools and training for its workforce, prioritizing climate resilience in planning and development, and leading with values of inclusion and equity.  As the Walsh Administration has invested in its residents, Boston's economy has grown, adding 120,000 new jobs, with an unemployment rate under three percent, and new investments being made in Boston's housing stock, schools, parks, and libraries. With this year-over-year growth in mind, Mayor Walsh today challenged Boston's business community to step up as good corporate partners in helping address some of the toughest challenges the city faces, including the need for more affordable housing, safe and reliable public transportation, and high-quality education for all students. "Boston is as strong as it's ever been, but if we're going to continue to thrive and meet our greatest challenges, then we've got more work to do. Today I come before you with an appeal to every industry, organization, and individual in a position of leadership in our city: to focus our energies, strengthen our partnerships, and combine our voices to meet our biggest shared challenges," said Mayor Walsh. "To keep our economy working, we must provide what working people need: in housing, in transit, at schools, and in jobs. We have to give every single person a place to live and a path toward their dreams. To do that, we need to be focused not just on the short term and the bottom line, but on the long term and greater good to build a strong middle class, an economy built to last, and a Boston that continues to lead in the 21st century."  In his speech, Mayor Walsh celebrated major transformations being made for the first time in a generation, including investing in the Boston Common and Franklin Park; building new schools focused specifically on STEM and arts education; building Boston's first new firehouse in 30 years; spearheading a redesign of City Hall Plaza; and earning perfect AAA bond ratings for six consecutive years, the first time that's been achieved in the city's history. Boston's work on racial equity and resilience has also brought attention to the city, and for the first time in nearly 40 years, the City of Boston will host the NAACP National Convention, welcoming members throughout the United States and the world who are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. Mayor Walsh also announced that tomorrow he will travel to Copenhagen for the C40 World Mayors Summit discussing climate solutions with other leading cities committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement. As North American Co-Chair for C40's Steering Committee, Mayor Walsh will participate in a panel to share Boston's global leadership on preparing for rising sea levels and climate change. Earlier this morning, Mayor Walsh released an update to Boston's Climate Action Plan, accelerating action towards carbon neutrality and continuing Boston's ambitious goal to be a carbon free city by 2050. In last year's speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Walsh introduced "Resilient Boston Harbor," a plan that lays out strategies along Boston's 47-mile shoreline that increases access and open space along the waterfront, while better protecting the city during a major flooding event. In just one year, the City opened Martin's Park along Fort Point Channel, started construction on the Langone-Puopolo Park in the North End, and moved forward with the redesign of Moakley Park in South Boston. Along with these upgrades to protect Boston's shoreline, in July of this year, the Administration proposed the city's first capital plan that dedicates 10 percent of all spending to resilience projects.   "We can't take the opportunity before us for granted, because as far as we've come, big challenges of success, like housing demand and transit capacity, remain," said Mayor Walsh. "These challenges, some national problems like inequality and the hollowing out of middle class, are threats to our economy. We have the opportunity now to address them by building on our success."  In his speech, Mayor Walsh focused on three cornerstones he called upon the business community to lead on: housing, transportation and education.  Creating more middle-income housing, stopping displacements, and ensuring every sector is playing their part Since Mayor Walsh took office in 2014, the City of Boston has created over 31,000 new homes and has an additional 27,000 units in the pipeline, ahead of pace to meet its goal of 69,000 new homes by 2030. Twenty percent of those new homes are income-restricted units. Boston is currently are number one in the United States for income-restricted, affordable housing.  Boston has also: Turned three million square feet of city land into nearly 500 first-time homeownership opportunities and over 1,100 rental units; Increased Inclusionary Development and Linkage collections; Modernized community planning and opened up new areas for transit-oriented development; Dedicated nearly $4 million of Community Preservation funding to a new, low-interest mortgage program for first-time home buyers.  Boston's strategy is working. Rents have stabilized in some neighborhoods and we're on the way to creating 1,000 new homeowners. However, Boston needs the business community to ensure progress continues, and affordable housing does not remain out of reach for residents. Mayor Walsh has called upon the business community to:  Support Governor Baker's Housing Choice bill. It changes local approval from a two-thirds vote to a simple, democratic majority. It's a simple fix, with positive results for Boston's workforce; Encourage developers to build middle class housing; Clamp down on displacement, and take a stand against pushing residents out of their homes and communities.  "The bottom line is, housing is not a commodity; it's a community," said Mayor Walsh. "It's where people build their lives. We have to be able to provide security and stability in our communities, and we have to be able to house our workforce. We also need owners and investors to take a step back and consider the human impacts of their actions. Profits can't come at this kind of cost. It's not a price and it's not a practice that we're going to accept in the City of Boston." Advocating for a 21st century regional transportation plan to meet today's needs and support tomorrow's growth In addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing Boston and other municipalities, Mayor Walsh reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for a reliable, frequent and affordable public transportation system that meets today's needs and supports tomorrow's growth.  Together with input from residents across the city, the City has: Built Boston's first bus lanes in a generation, in Roslindale, Allston, and now the North End and Charlestown. Tens of thousands of people have had their commutes improved by these lanes, and we're working on more;  Invested in a new Transit Team that is working with the MBTA right now on improvements in Mattapan, South Boston, and Roxbury; Invested $6.5 million in T passes for our youth; Called on the T to protect seniors from fare increases, and provide late-night bus service for third-shift workers, and they are doing those things;  Testified at the MBTA's Fiscal and Management Control Board for our plan to increase Fairmount Line service and Commuter Rail frequency across Greater Boston.  Under Mayor Walsh's leadership, the City has also put together its long-term transportation plan, Go Boston 2030, which focused on improving access, equity and reliability in transportation for all of Boston's residents.  "Recently, I sat with a group of business leaders--you understand the urgency," said Mayor Walsh. "We need your voices to communicate what's at stake for your workers, your businesses, and our economy. And we need your expertise to help develop solutions. Just as we've done in the City of Boston, we need to work together, as partners, on a comprehensive plan to address the statewide need for better transportation. And we need to make the hard decisions necessary to fund and implement that plan." Providing support and innovation to our students so every school can make progress and achievement gaps can be closed  Mayor Walsh believes that a good, strong education is the best investment we can make in Boston's children and their collective future, and is proud that more Boston students than ever before are in high-quality schools. It's also why he has enacted the highest budget for Boston Public Schools every year since taking office, investing in the proven strategies for closing achievement and opportunity gaps. The City of Boston is committed to looking at the whole student and removing barriers to learning wherever we can find them, which means investing in programs like new kitchens to provide healthy food, providing MBTA passes to all Boston students grades 7-12, and offering free hygiene products for girls. In addition, the City has added nurses to every school, and has made available mental health professionals for students, and has support available for students experiencing homelessness.  Boston has made historic investments in its students and schools over the last five years, including:  Funded a longer school day; Committed to having a pre-kindergarten seat for every four-year-old in Boston; Giving every five-year-old a college savings account;  Expanded Summer Learning programs to 14,000 students;  Created a facilities program from scratch to replace roofs, windows, boilers, and furniture and provide the technology that many students don't have access to at home. Through Boston's investments, we're building new high schools designed for 21st-century education. However, Boston's efforts don't end with students graduating. Mayor Walsh's focus on ensuring students have every opportunity, from cradle to career, means he has called on businesses to join in partnership with the City, to ensure economic prosperity is felt by its students. In his speech, Mayor Walsh challenged companies to hire most residents, looking to companies like Natixis, Vertex and Autodesk that partner with students to improve their chances for success.  Mayor Walsh thanked the Speaker, Senate President, education committee chairs and the Boston delegation for the Student Opportunity Act, which has the key principles to meet the needs facing every district and every student.  "We have to show people from every neighborhood and walk of life that this great city we've built together wasn't built for someone else, it was built for them and everyone," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm asking Boston's employers to draw from the deep well of talent in our neighborhoods. I'm asking you to hire more Bostonians. Our residents are skilled, they are resilient, they are diverse, and they have a lived understanding of culture and community in today's America. You need people like them in your workplace, and you don't have to look far to find them."

Governor Charlie Baker Testifies Before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation

Governor Charlie Baker Testifies Before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker joined Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak to testify before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation in support of An Act Authorizing and Accelerating Transportation Investment, the administration’s proposed legislation seeking $18 billion in additional capital authorization to invest in building and modernizing a transportation system that meets the needs of residents, businesses and cities and towns statewide.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Good afternoon Chair Boncore, Chair Straus, and members of the Committee – thank you for the opportunity to testify today about H. 4002, An Act Authorizing and Accelerating Transportation investment.

“I am joined today by MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver and other members of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Executive Office for Administration and Finance. We thank you for your support of our shared goal of a safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation system.

“The $18 billion transportation plan we filed will continue the evolution our transportation system is currently undergoing.  Beyond containing resources enough to meet the anticipated needs of the next half decade (and beyond), this bill will:

• accelerate the initiatives already underway to modernize our transportation system
• invest half a billion dollars in our municipal partners as they develop the transportation systems necessary to meet their needs
• reduce the greenhouse gas impact and improve the resiliency of our transportation networks
• propose new tools to manage regional and local traffic congestion, and, perhaps most importantly, 
• address barriers to innovation which will allow us to accelerate the delivery of these necessary projects.

“As we enter the second decade of MassDOT – the agency was formed November 2009 – we should consider what the Commonwealth has accomplished in its first decade.

• Finished the first Accelerated Bridge Program: including an award-winning renovation of the historic Longfellow Bridge, Worcester’s signature Burns Bridge (an American Public Works Association project of the year winner), the Braga and Fore River Bridges, and turned what would have been a “hellish three years” into a “hellish three weeks” by using accelerated techniques to finish the Commonwealth Avenue bridge in three weeks over two summers, instead of building it the traditional way and disrupting traffic for years.
• Completed the transition to All Electronic Tolling, becoming the first system in the nation to switch to an entirely cashless system, banishing the toll plazas that caused congestion and caused accidents.
• Developed and successfully launched the municipal small bridge program, providing crucial funding for locally owned bridges across the Commonwealth – 93 so far, further demonstrating our commitment to improving local infrastructure.  When coupled with Complete Streets, these programs provide a suite of options for local communities to improve their transportation infrastructure in ways that make sense for them, while meeting state goals for asset condition and multi-modal transportation.
• MassDOT and the MBTA rescued the Green Line Extension project, turning a project that was $1 billion over budget and falling further and further behind schedule into a reality, much the same way that the long-promised but never delivered South Coast Rail project is today under construction and will connect Fall River and New Bedford to Boston – and vice versa – by 2023. 
• By 2023, the entire fleet of Orange and Red line cars will be new.  Coupling an additional 80,000 seats on the Red and Orange Lines with a $217M investment in new signals will allow for 30,000 extra passengers per hour during rush hour, with 3 minute instead of 4.5 minute headways.

“The MassDOT and MBTA capital plans reflect this acceleration as well. The FY17 five year capital plan called for a $15.1 billion investment in MassDOT and MBTA infrastructure. The most recent five year plan, covering the years FY20-FY24, projects spending $18.3 billion – significantly more.

“The MBTA is investing more in the system than ever before. The T went from failing to spend half of the money it had available for infrastructure upgrades, to achieving $1 billion in capital spending in FY19. Their five year plans have gone from $3.8 billion in the FY14-18 period, to $8.2 billion planned for FY20-24.

“I think it’s important to stress here: this capital plan, and the massive growth in activity it entails, can be completely executed with the funding that is currently available. That includes all new vehicles for the entire Orange and Red line, track and signal rebuilds on every line, hundreds of new buses, thousands of new trips on the commuter rail, and thousands of new seats on the subway – all while launching new services for more riders across the system. 

“MassDOT and the MBTA’s investment strategy is focused on delivering the benefits of a revitalized and resilient transportation system to residents across the Commonwealth, while also advancing projects that expand the reach of transit and target traffic bottlenecks. Both are making up for lost time on deferred maintenance, while investing in new capacity and dramatically improving system reliability.

“Our Commission report on the future of transportation and our congestion report are roadmaps, and our draft plans for the future of the MBTA and our commuter rail system lay out strategies to continue to enhance and expand our public transportation assets for the next 20 years.

“This $18 billion transportation plan legislation lays the groundwork for a transportation system that will meet the future travel needs of our residents and support a strong, competitive economy.

“This administration is also committed to addressing the 40% of greenhouse gas emissions that come from the transportation sector. To that end, we are participating in the collaboration of 13 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic States, and the District of Columbia in the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). Like the RGGI program before it, TCI will create a lowering cap on Greenhouse Gas emissions. The legislation before you today earmarks up to half of the revenue generated by the sale of GHG allowances towards improving transit; investing in the transit system, which takes more drivers off the road and lowers emissions even further.

“I am proud to say that several business sector associations such as the Associated Industries of Massachusetts as well as the Environmental League of Massachusetts are joining together in support of this approach. It’s not every day these groups find common ground.

“The Congestion Report released earlier this summer looks both backward and forward. We did not need to spend months and months to conclude that yes, congestion is bad here, has been getting worse, and will likely get even worse as the greater Boston region continues to grow. But from those months of work have emerged targeted solutions that MassDOT is already beginning to implement, some reflected in this legislation.

“Modeling a new federal program and our own targeted success in places like the Middleborough Rotary, we are proposing a ‘local bottlenecks’ program targeted at municipally owned infrastructure that creates localized congestion that impacts one portion of a trip.

“We also found that Massachusetts lags behind similar sized and technology focused cities in the percentage of employees who telecommute. We have designed a targeted credit to encourage businesses to get more of their employees off the road for one or more days per week.

“The report also calls for moving forward with ‘managed lanes’ –which provide additional capacity and a faster trip – at a cost – which have been successful at increasing throughput and reducing congestion in other parts of the country.

“Other parts of this legislation will make it easier for MassDOT and the MBTA to work with private parties to partner on large projects, as well as expedite capital delivery, which would allow us to create lanes like these using techniques used in other states. 

“Done right, these lanes give a quicker trip to the people paying for the lane, as well as other users in buses and in vanpools, and also for the drivers in the regular lanes who don’t have to deal with the traffic that moves into the managed lanes.

“This bond bill also contains the first ‘down payment’ on the future rail system being planned in the Rail Vision process. The future of the commuter rail will require more capacity. This bill supports the purchase of over 200 new MBTA bi-level coaches, in addition to the 80 the MBTA ordered last week bringing the total new seats coming to the commuter rail system to 18,000.

“And while the T is critical to keeping Eastern and Central Massachusetts moving, we have to continue to remember that the vast majority of travel in Massachusetts takes place on state and local roads. To that end, this bill contains $10 billion for MassDOT highway construction projects, pavement, and bridge repairs.

“Building on the lessons learned during the previous Accelerated Bridge Program, we are proposing a Next Generation Bridge Financing Program, which will support $1.25 billion in new bridge construction and enable new procurement techniques to bundle a number of smaller bridge projects together. As the old ABP phases out, this Next Generation program will replace it and help us reach our goals for bridge condition. If this program receives your support, the percentage of bridge deck in Poor Condition in Massachusetts will go from about 17% in 2014, down to 10% in 2026.

“Pavement condition will also benefit from the funding provided in this bill, helping MassDOT achieve over 60% of non-interstate, national highway system pavement in Good Condition by 2023.

“Finally, we continue to support cities and towns in preparing their roads and bridges for continued growth. This legislation contains another installment of $200 million per year in Chapter 90 funds. Since taking office, we’ve awarded $1.1 billion in chapter 90 funding to all 351 cities and towns, and that doesn’t include the supplemental funding we’ve included in 3 of the past 5 years.

“We’ve also supported municipal projects in more directed ways.  Between the Small Bridge and Complete Streets projects we’ve put over $75 million into local infrastructure, and this bill expands on our commitment to local roads through new programs which would award $100 million to improve state numbered, but locally owned, roads and the $50 million local bottleneck program I mentioned earlier.

“I know this is may be counterintuitive to argue at a bond bill hearing, but funding is actually the easiest of the critical paths we face.  And all the funding in the world doesn’t matter if we can’t deliver projects. DOT Secretary Pollack and T General Manager Poftak will speak more about this, but I believe the suite of project delivery improvements laid out in this transportation plan is a critical component to ensuring MassDOT and MBTA can put the $18 billion allocated this plan to use quickly.

“Innovative techniques like A+B bidding, which allows us to consider the value of time, as well as the cost of construction, when choosing a bid for a project, or cutting the bureaucratic red tape that slows down cost saving public-private partnerships and allows the T to take advantage of design, build, finance, operate and maintain procurement – techniques that are authorized and used in most states across this country – will allow MassDOT and the T to use the financial resources provided for in this legislation to their fullest, and provide new revenues beyond those included already in this bill.

“As I said when we filed this bill, if the Legislature enacts something that resembles this piece of legislation by the end of this session, Massachusetts will have the biggest arsenal of tools and capabilities it has ever had to make our transportation network safer, cleaner, and better able to service the needs and expectations of our residents and our communities.    

                   

“We have enviable problems. Our economy is growing, our population is growing, and the economic activity that dominates our Commonwealth is constrained by the limits of our current system. This legislation, along with our Housing Choice and TNC legislation, and the recommendations in our Congestion Report, will make it possible for us to create the transportation infrastructure we will need to continue to grow.

“The financing incorporated in this legislation is unprecedented and historic, and it will be applied in ways that strategically benefit the people, businesses, institutions and communities of this great state. It adds almost 100,000 seats to our public transportation system and will dramatically improve its reach and reliability. It doubles down on our highly effective large and small bridge initiatives. It fits with our efforts to enhance housing production, density and transit oriented development, and provides a path forward to fund additional transit initiatives in resiliency and strategic expansion.

“We look forward to working with our colleagues in the legislature and the community generally to get this $18 billion plan for our transportation future enacted in this session.

“Thank you, and now Secretary Pollack and GM Poftak can give you more specifics on how this legislation will provide the MBTA and MassDOT the resources and long term planning they need to build the safe, reliable, and sustainable transportation system we all expect.”

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Community Compact Connector Tool

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Community Compact Connector Tool

New online portal will streamline grant and state program information for cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth

WORCESTER – Today, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito joined Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curt Wood at the Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s 2019 Annual Statewide Conference for Municipal Officials and Staff to announce the launch of the Community Compact Connector. This new, synthesized online portal will support the Community Compact program to offer all 351 communities in the Commonwealth information on state resources and grant opportunities available to local municipalities.

“Since taking office, Lt. Governor Polito has been a champion for local municipalities and has made it a priority to provide each city and town with the resources and tools they need to grow and succeed,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration is committed to its continued support of our partners at the local level through this new and innovative tool for communities.”  

“Through my work as the Chair of the Community Compact Cabinet, I have had the honor of visiting all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth, and have worked closely with each and every municipality to ensure that they are well prepared for continued economic and community development,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “I am proud to announce further support for Massachusetts communities through the Community Compact Connector.”

“The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security has prioritized making the interaction with state government as streamlined and efficient as possible for municipalities and constituents,” said Secretary Curt Wood. “The Community Compact Connector is yet another entry into the Commonwealth's 'digital toolkit' that further strengthens our state and municipal partnership. I would like to thank Lt. Governor Polito for her leadership on this initiative and for empowering my team to have a hand in its creation."

The Community Compact Connector provides a streamlined interface for cities and towns to interact with state government when seeking partnership and grant funding opportunities and is equipped with pages offering services such as a municipal grant finder, technical assistance finder and a grants calendar.

The municipal grants finder and the technical assistance finders provide a central source of information for cities and towns to learn more about state grant opportunities available to them, regardless of state agency management. Areas of support include community development, emergency management and planning, environmental resources and more.

Municipalities are also offered the opportunity to efficiently submit a question or comment to the Community Compact Connector directly on the website, ensuring continued and effective partnership between state and local governments.

In addition to these main features, the Community Compact Connector will also provide varying resources to municipalities, including new fiscal budgets, cherry sheets and announcements.

Visit www.mass.gov/communityconnector to learn more.

Baker-Polito Administration Urges Passage of Impaired Driving Legislation

Baker-Polito Administration Urges Passage of Impaired Driving Legislation

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today joined state officials, road safety advocates, law enforcement officials and leaders of the cannabis industry to urge passage of the Administration’s impaired driving legislation. Following the Cannabis Control Commission’s approval last month of regulations for social consumption of marijuana, the group assembled at the State House today underscored the need to pass legislation that would implement recommendations made by the Special Commission on Operating Under the Influence and Impaired Driving. 

The Governor and Lt. Governor were joined by Helen Witty, National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, David Torrisi, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Dispensary Association, Cannabis Control Commissioner Britte McBride and Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael. 

“As Massachusetts continues to implement adult use of marijuana, including potential social consumption sites, it’s vital that we update our impaired driving laws to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the Commonwealth’s roads,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “This legislation which draws on thoughtful recommendations from a commission of a broad cross-section of stakeholders, gives public safety officials the tools they need to combat impaired driving and keep our roads safe.” 

“Our Administration is committed to working with law enforcement officials and advocates in the public and private sector to combat impaired driving and ensure the safety of our residents and communities,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful for these leaders’ support of this important legislation which will update our impaired driving laws as we confront new public safety challenges.”

According to Massachusetts crash statistics from 2013-2017, marijuana was the most prevalent drug (aside from alcohol) found in drivers involved in fatal crashes. In Colorado, where marijuana has been sold for adult use since 2014, traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana increased 109 percent while traffic deaths increased 31 percent, according to a report prepared by the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Colorado also saw a marked increase in traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana which more than doubled from 55 in 2013 to 115 people killed in 2018. Since recreational marijuana was legalized, the percentage of all Colorado traffic deaths that were marijuana related increased from 15 percent in 2013 to 23 percent in 2018.

“While we trust that the overwhelming majority of adults who use cannabis will do so responsibly, our research shows that some marijuana users believe the myth that they drive better when high,” said Thomas Turco, Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). “It’s important that we state unequivocally that that is, in fact, a myth and that driving under the influence of cannabis is dangerous and potentially fatal.”

The Baker-Polito Administration’s bill is based on recommendations made by the Special Commission on Operating Under the Influence and Impaired Driving. The Special Commission is composed of a diverse set of stakeholders and experts, including police, prosecutors, medical and toxicological professionals, and representatives of the criminal defense bar and civil liberties community. 

The proposed legislative changes in the bill include: 

• Adopting implied consent laws to suspend the driver’s licenses of arrested motorists who refuse to cooperate in chemical testing for drugs, as existing law has long required for arrested motorists who refuse breath testing for alcohol.
• Adopting a statute authorizing courts to take judicial notice that ingesting THC, the active chemical in marijuana, can and does impair motorists.
• Directing the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) to expand the training of drug recognition experts and allowing them to testify as expert witnesses in civil and criminal cases.
• Prohibiting drivers from having loose or unsealed packages of marijuana in the driver’s compartment of a vehicle, under the same provision of the motor vehicle code that has long prohibited driving with open containers of alcohol.
• Permitting judicial notice of the scientific validity and reliability of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, which would make it easier for the Commonwealth to introduce the results of that test at trial to demonstrate a driver’s intoxication.
• Empowering police officers to seek electronic search warrants for evidence of chemical intoxication, as is the practice in over thirty other states.  Any blood draw would have to be authorized by a neutral magistrate after a showing of probable cause and would be performed by a doctor, nurse, or other appropriate medical staff at a health care facility.
• Developing educational materials and programming on drug impairment to share with trial court judges.

The Baker-Polito Administration recently kicked off an impaired driving educational campaign designed to reach men age 18 to 34, who are the most likely to be behind the wheel in impaired driving crashes. The campaign, titled “Wisdom,” was informed by focus groups made up of cannabis and alcohol users and conducted by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Office of Grants and Research (OGR). The feedback was used to create TV spots featuring interviews of real people who were willing to share their perceptions about driving after consuming cannabis, alcohol, or other drugs.

“Our family – and the thousands we represent – know all too well the life-altering consequences of drunk and drugged driving,” said Helen Witty, National President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “My 16-year-old daughter, Helen Marie, was out rollerblading on a bike path near our Miami home in 2000 when she was run over and killed by a teenage driver impaired on alcohol and marijuana. I landed shattered in MADD’s lap, and determined to make sure this violent, preventable crime never happened to anyone else. MADD is grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for doing everything they can to keep people from being needlessly injured or killed by impaired drivers.”

“An important goal of the commission’s work is to protect the health and safety of the people in our state as we navigate the new reality of legal adult use of cannabis. I am pleased to be here today to support the Baker-Polito Administration and their partners in promoting the safe use of marijuana and cannabis products,” said Britte McBride, Commissioner of the Cannabis Control Commission.

“We have made educating adults about the importance of responsible use of cannabis products a priority – and we hope the Legislature takes action on this bill,” said David Torrisi, Executive Director, Commonwealth Dispensary Association. “We welcome the opportunity to join the Baker-Polito administration in stressing the importance of safe driving habits, including planning for alternate transportation if using marijuana.” 

Massachusetts Data (2013-2017) from the EOPSS Office of Grants and Research:

• Marijuana was the most prevalent drug found in drivers involved in fatal crashes.
• 11 percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were found with both alcohol and drugs in their system.
• 78 percent of impaired drivers in fatal crashes were men.
• 35 percent of drunk drivers involved in a fatal crash were 21-29 years old. 
• The number of drivers involved in a fatal crash who were alcohol-impaired (BAC .08+) and had drugs in their system increased by 63 percent (35 to 57).
• From 2016 to 2017, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased by 19 percent (148 to 120).

MAYOR WALSH OFFERS TESTIMONY TO THE MBTA FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT CONTROL BOARD, ADVOCATES FOR BETTER SERVICE ACROSS THE REGION

BOSTON - Monday, October 7, 2019 - In his testimony before the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh today spoke in support of a service enhancement plan for the Fairmount Line and advocated for improved regional rail service across Greater Boston. Fairmount Line improvements are identified as priorities in both the Go Boston 2030 transportation plan, as well as the Imagine Boston 2030 citywide plan. "The City of Boston's partnership with the MBTA is one of the most important we have," said Mayor Walsh. "Our residents depend on it; our workforce depends on it; our economy and our environment depend on it. I will always advocate for the best possible service, to meet the needs of our residents today and tomorrow. We need to take the essential next steps to improve mobility in our city and region, and increasing services levels on the Fairmount Line will be an asset for our residents, city and state." The Fairmount Line provides public transit service to parts of Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Hyde Park neighborhoods of Boston that have limited access to subway service. The City's plan calls for eight additional trips each weekday - tailored to better support early morning and late night shift workers as well as students who live and learn along the corridor - as a short term measure, as well as a focus on additional longer term investments to improve frequency. The City is also working with the MBTA to to integrate the Fairmount Line into the subway and bus payment system, allowing passengers boarding at several stations to use their Charlie Cards. "One-fifth of Boston's population lives along the nine-mile route of the Fairmount Line, and the residents in this corridor are some of the most transit dependent residents in the city and have some of the longest average commutes; improving the frequency of the Fairmount Line increases equity and expands opportunity in Boston," said Chief of Streets Chris Osgood. "The City also strongly encourages enhancing service for the entire regional rail system. Strengthening the region's regional rail system would shift a larger percentage of Boston's workforce to public transit, decreasing congestion, lowering emissions and improving public health." The City of Boston is investing heavily around commuter rail stations in neighborhoods along the Fairmount Line. An economic plan is underway at Newmarket Square; an arts and innovation district is being created at Uphams Corner; $11 million is being invested to improve Columbia Road adjacent to the Four Corners station; a multi-million dollar renovation of Harambee Park is in the works; and major roadways around the Blue Hill Avenue stop are being redesigned. Investments in public transit complement these advancements. Advocating for a stronger regional rail system to be established over time, the City expects that this system would address congestion from private vehicles entering and exiting the city limits.  Additionally, it would lower emissions, meet climate goals, and improve public health, particularly if the rail system were electrified.    To accelerate improvements in public transit, the City of Boston has invested in a dedicated Transit Team within the Boston Transportation Department that is working with the MBTA to improve service, and create innovative solutions.  Progress has been made and efforts to further enhance public transit service will continue. Recent collaboration between the City of Boston and the MBTA has resulted in several achievements including: Bus priority lanes that welcome bicyclists have been built on Washington Street in Roslindale, Brighton Avenue in Allston, and North Washington Street, offering quicker commutes for the thousands of people who ride on them each day. MBTA passes have been made available to 7th through 12th grade students in all Boston schools. Seniors have been protected from the MBTA fare increase. Late night bus service has been provided to support third shift workers.