Question 1 Supporters Leverage New Bridges Report

Sources: Rasky Partners, other sources

Question 1 (Fair Share Amendment) Supporters Leverage New Bridges Report

The Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center (MassBudget) has released a new report (https://massbudget.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2022.08.31-Bridge-Too-Far.pdf) on the state of the Commonwealth’s bridges. Using the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) database which tracks 7,880 bridges across the state, MassBudget identified that as of June 2022 there are 644 structurally deficient bridges and the condition of another 218 are listed as “unknown.”

The report indicates that significant, long-term investments from the state will be required to improve the condition of the bridges. Furthermore, climate change, heavier vehicles, and an aging stock of bridges are likely to accelerate deterioration. Additionally, racial, and ethnic minorities and limited English proficient households are disproportionally impacted by the state of the Commonwealth’s bridges. While the average resident lives 1.7 miles from a structurally deficient bridge, residents who identify as a racial or ethnic minority or as a limited English-speaking household live an average of 1.3 and 1.2 miles, respectively, from a structurally deficient bridge.

Following the release of the report, advocates in favor of Question 1 on this year’s ballot used the report’s findings to support the Constitutional amendment. Question 1 would establish a 4% surtax on incomes that exceed $1 million to support education and transportation initiatives. If passed, the surtax is expected to increase the State’s annual revenue by approximately $1.3 billion. At a virtual press conference hosted by supporters of Question 1, advocates featured structurally deficient bridges across Massachusetts to discuss how the bridges impact them and how passing the Constitutional amendment can help finance improvements for the bridges.

Yes side is called Yes on 1 Fair Share for Massachusetts: https://www.fairsharema.com/why-fair-share

No side is called No on Massachusetts Question 1 https://noquestion1.com/