Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition

As Lt. Governor, I will bring my experience on the housing, climate, and transportation work I have led in Salem and the region. I will continue to be a strong advocate for coupling new housing with mobility options and land use options that support walkability within the context of neighborhood needs. I believe that Massachusetts can benefit from an accessible local and regional transportation system that provides alternative modes of transportation and choices for residents everyday to encourage more climate-friendly transit. I recognize the crucial role that a sustainable transportation system can play in opening up important opportunities within communities.

Growing up in Lowell, I saw how issues related to housing, environment, education, transportation, & job opportunities impacted all of us. As a single mother for 14 years, I experienced housing insecurity, frustrations with our transportation system, & financial insecurity. As a state representative, dr. of public health, & a social worker, I have spent the last 25 years working to get to the root causes of the issues that contribute to health inequities, including income inequality, environmental degradation, housing insecurity, & the lack of affordable & reliable transportation.We need to solve problems by putting people at the center of our decision-making. In my first 100 days as LG, I will partner to form five working groups – housing, climate justice, COVID recovery, mental health, & childcare. Each working group will have a clear charge that includes intersections with other subject areas. For example, with the housing working group, I will bring together residents with lived experience, system thinking subject matter experts to address housing affordability & the need for accessible, all-electric units in thriving neighborhoods with access to transportation & green spaces.

Transportation and residential buildings together comprise the overwhelming majority of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts. It will be impossible for Massachusetts to reach net zero emissions or to achieve our urgent climate goals without an ambitious and interconnected plan to make transportation and housing environmentally sustainable. Further, as a Western Massachusetts legislator, I am keenly aware of the way transportation and housing policies are linked. Homes need to be connected to workplaces, and when our transit systems become unreliable, slow, or fail to fully connect our state, it contributes to skyrocketing prices, congestion, and lost opportunity.

As Lieutenant Governor I will work to help coordinate Governor Healey’s Administration around an integrated climate, housing, and transportation agenda. Some specific ways a Lieutenant Governor can help is to convene interagency working groups, for example, to set integrated policies between EOHED, Mass DOT, the MBTA, and EEA.

Please see attachment for complete answer. I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing our additional materials, especially given there are other candidates who will submit their own material. I believe a thorough answer to this important question cannot be answered in under 1,200 characters. Thank you! - Kim Driscoll

Reducing emissions from transportation and buildings are top priorities for me. As a state rep, I chaired two working groups in the last legislative session and together we passed a revenue bill and bond bill to make critical investments to green our transportation system and make it more reliable and more affordable for our working families. The urgent problem we are facing now is the lack of trust in the MBTA because of the recent accidents, fires, and closures that are putting people’s lives at risk and leaving them stranded. This is happening due to a lack of accountability and oversight, as well as the lack of investment in transportation as a public good. We must make sure that our public transportation system is safe and reliable and move toward getting people out of their cars and onto public transportation as we rebuild trust in the system. That is why I support making it easier and more desirable for residents to take public transportation through fare-free RTAs and T. As Lieutenant Governor I will continue to advocate for upgrading our transit system, such as through investments in our RTAs, regional rail, and connecting our state with East-West and North-South rail.

For eight years in the State Senate, I have been the primary proponent and architect of east/west rail, connecting Pittsfield, Springfield, and Boston. Connecting our state along the highly populated east/west corridor would take tens of thousands of cars off the road, clean our air, and do more to reduce congestion than almost any other project Massachusetts has undertaken in a generation. Combined with finishing work on South Coast Rail–along with urgent improvements to the safety, reliability, and frequency of MBTA service and commuter rail service–will be the essential components of reducing congestion. It will also help create tens of thousands of new, highly paid jobs and spur construction of thousands of units of transit-oriented housing.

The MBTA provides a critical service to our working families, students, and those unable to drive. However, it is limited to the Greater Boston Area, which is why I am supportive of RTAs, including allowing communities to generate additional funding through local ballot questions, additional state supports for commuter rail expansion, improvements to service reliability, electrification, and greater thoughtfulness in connections between transportation modes to make the choice to use rail even easier.

I will continue to advocate for micro-transit systems, especially in small towns and rural communities; rapid bus transit; equitable funding of transportation projects including the development of complete streets, smart growth designs, bicycle lanes, bikeways, and walkways; and address first- and last-mile barriers to transit access. We must ensure that public transit works across the state. That is why I have supported efforts to increase investments in our RTAs and must make RTAs free across the Commonwealth. I have also passed legislation to test out free rapid bus lanes and to increase satellite parking to solve the first-mile last-mile issue that too many residents from Pittsfield to Provincetown face every single day when trying to access commuter lines and other forms of public transportation.

To make all these goals a reality, I support and am actively working to pass the Fair Share Amendment. I also support other revenue generating measures, such as GILTI and tiered corporate minimum. This will help us make sure that public transit is safe, reliable, affordable, and that we are moving toward expanding rail and making it greener to help our state meet our climate goals.

This is an urgent and highly personal issue for me, as a State Senator representing two large cities (Springfield and Chicopee) as well as rural communities (including a town without a stoplight). Regional Transit Authorities are often the only lifeline for people outside Greater Boston without regular access to an automobile. The PVTA, for example, serves an overwhelmingly low income and minority population who relies on bus services for work, school, and medical appointments.

RTAs have historically lacked proper funding or attention from governors (every year it is a struggle to maintain funding in the legislature). As Lieutenant Governor, I will put RTAs at the center of a statewide transportation plan and work to ensure our RTAs are able to expand service, improve frequency and reliability, and also to expand fare-free programs to more regions and communities. It is also important to allow RTAs to experiment with new rideshare and other models for enhancing service, especially in more rural areas or smaller cities.

As Lt. Governor, I would be an advocate and champion for investments and innovations in transportation measures developed with the intention of improving our Commonwealth's resilience and capacity to respond to the climate crisis. My record as Mayor has been a reflection of that commitment. One example of this has been the creation of the City of Salem's first ever Sustainability Department and the development and implementation of a regional climate action plan in partnership with Beverly. We must ensure we have strong, meaningful capital plans for our transportation agencies and DCR’s portfolio AND be committed to sustainable funding to address capital needs. I would be open to setting aside a percentage of new revenues being derived from sports betting to assist with funding these capital needs. Enhanced investment in DCR is critical to sustaining our state parks, forestries, beaches, piers, campgrounds and other recreational amenities. This should be a source of pride for the Commonwealth, as well as an opportunity to boost eco-tourism and quality of life in the places home to these assets.

We need to be making critical investments in our Commonwealth. That is why I am in favor of the Fair Share Amendment, and fairer tax code in Massachusetts in general. Between 1977 and 2020, only Alaska and Wyoming cut taxes more than Massachusetts. Even with tax reductions, Massachusetts is rich in resources. We can use these resources to make sure that our residents can access sustainable and reliable transportation. As Lt. Governor I believe that we need to invest in our agencies, especially DCR, DOER, MBTA and DOT. Climate experts must be embedded in these departments as each department and secretariat incorporates climate justice and health equity into their work portfolios and responsibilities.

As a state rep., I have seen the impacts of a constricted workforce in DCR and DOER. That is why I would support greater investments in our agencies who saw early retirements without replacements under the current administration.

As a State Senator in Western Massachusetts, I have already seen first-hand in my communities the effects of climate change and the growing intensity of storms, floods, and other climate events. We have seen, for example, more intense floods in our rivers, as well as higher rates of washed-out culverts, which leads to destroyed roads, homes, and dislocation of families. As Lieutenant Governor, I would help implement Governor Healey’s climate agenda, and specifically work to coordinate various state agencies toward our climate resiliency goals, including funding for wider culvers, fixing combined sewer overflows, and improved seawalls and flood mitigation measures for MassHighway, the MBTA, and other agencies. It is also important to be multi-disciplinary in approach, for example, by integrating open space planning at DCR to better absorb storm surges and protect flood plains. I would prioritize remaining ARPA dollars, as well as supplemental revenues and existing infrastructure funds for this purpose.

Salem had one of the first municipal complete streets policies in Massachusetts and it has been nationally recognized. More than just a document, our policy has guided the creation of new programs - like our Neighborhood Traffic Calming program, which funds evidence-based, tactical measures to slow traffic and make public ways safer - and has served as the basis for larger policies, including development permits, ride share programs, and more. In addition, other states have used technology to assist with traffic enforcement. For instance, in New York the installation of speed cameras in school zones resulted in a marked decrease in speeding in school zones. As Lt. Governor, I would advocate for giving municipalities more tools and supports to be able to use these proven methods and try new ones to improve traffic safety in our communities.

We must invest in our people to seriously address racial injustice, over-policing & over-incarceration of Black & Brown residents. This includes investing in mental health, childcare, & human services. We don’t have enough social workers & mental health providers to meet the demand. As we move away from police & toward shifting to alternative response teams to address mental health & other crises, we must invest in our workforce to meet increasing demand. We must provide debt-relief, pay increases, & other incentives to support students, especially first-generation students, wishing to go into the mental health field. We need to make sure our roads are safe for everyone. I was proud to vote for & override the veto of the Family and Worker Mobility Act. We can do better at ensuring there isn’t bias in our police stops. I supported the collection & reporting of race & ethnicity in data stops as we took up Hands-Free and Police Reform legislation. I would like to learn more about the use of cameras & automated enforcement before stating a firm position on a strategy. I can see the reduction in bias benefits, but I also do have concerns about privacy rights. I would like to learn more.

I would encourage the Governor and her administration to review the use of police enforcement in traffic safety, as well as to support legislation that would prohibit pretextual stops; require robust data collections of traffic stops, crashes, and other factors; and utilizing automated traffic enforcement. I would also work with cities and towns to urge them to do a similar review and adopt these policies at a local level.

It is also important to expand funding to Complete Streets and other programs that improve sidewalk infrastructure, crosswalk and traffic signal enhancements, and other physical-infrastructure improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists. These are critical components of traffic safety, and have proven to be more effective than active police enforcement.

I would also add that I have been a longtime co-sponsor and supporter of recently passed legislation to enable individuals to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, and I will fight hard to ensure this measure isn’t repealed on the ballot this November.

Every roadway project in Salem is carried out within the parameters and requirements of our complete streets policy. While many state roadway projects also adhere to these standards, I believe more can be done to strengthen those standards, ensure they are consistently applied (or there is a public explanation when they must be deviated from), and municipalities are given the resources, technical assistance, and latitude to mirror those standards locally. As Lt. Governor, I will collaborate and actively work with cities and towns across Massachusetts to implement policies that prioritize the well-being and safety of older adults, people with disabilities, and children - just as we have done in Salem.

We must make meaningful investments to properly maintain state-owned roads for the safety of all users (pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers) and make them accessible to all. I support the Fair Share Amendment so that we have the resources needed to address deferred maintenance of bridges, roads, and other property managed by DCR, the MBTA, and other agencies. We must also make sure that we are maximizing our ARPA money to make sure that our roads, bridges, and other infrastructure are safe and accessible for everyone. This includes curb cuts and ramps, handrails, and clear and proper signage. If they are not safe, then they should be upgraded or removed. For example, the death of Professor David Jones could have been avoided had the steps leading to JFK Station been removed in a timely manner. (https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/newly-released-video-shows-moment-bu-professor-fell-through-staircase-to-his-death/2640584/)

I believe that we can also make sure we are budgeting for safety studies of the more dangerous roads and intersections to make sure that they are safe not only for those in cars but also everyone who uses the streets and roadways.

As Lieutenant Governor, I would encourage the Governor and her administration to carefully consider the safety of all our drivers, passengers, and other users on our state owned roads and assist in putting together a robust plan to improve safety for all. My recommendations would include, first and foremost, a thorough review and analysis of all state owned roads, their records, and their speed limits. The reduction of certain speed limits, a prioritization of infrastructure projects that are most in need, and the potential use of automated traffic enforcement tools–with the proper data protection policies in place–are a few of the policies I would incorporate into our plan.

Please see attachment for complete answer. I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing our additional materials, especially given there are other candidates who will submit their own material. I believe a thorough answer to this important question cannot be answered in under 1,200 characters. Thank you! - Kim Driscoll

I believe every resident has the right to humane & affordable housing in a thriving neighborhood. I believe every resident has the right to flourish in a safe, inclusive, & sustainable community designed to meet their diverse physical, linguistic, cultural, mental, cognitive, relational, & emotional needs across their lifetime. You can read my entire plan at tamigouveia.com/rights.

We know renters – especially immigrants, low-income families, seniors, people with disabilities, & renters of color – are particularly vulnerable to housing policies & increases in the cost of housing. I support local options for rent stabilization; just cause eviction protections; eviction sealing; right to counsel; stronger condominium & foreclosure protections, especially to protect small landlords in being able to stay in & maintain their housing; investing in language access strategies & language justice to communicate housing options, financial assistance for housing, legal support for evictions protections, & other services to increase housing stability for vulnerable families; & ensuring returning citizens have a safe & affordable place to live near transportation & work opportunities.

In order to meet the soaring demand for affordable housing we need to first create forward-thinking policies that address the core of this issue, while also investing in the development of housing that is both affordable and desirable. That is part of what inspired me to work across party lines to deliver the most transformative zoning reform in a generation. I would support policies that have similar outcomes: connecting people to housing and transportation that are BOTH affordable and accessible.

Please see attachment for complete answer. I appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing our additional materials, especially given there are other candidates who will submit their own material. I believe a thorough answer to this important question cannot be answered in under 1,200 characters. Thank you! - Kim Driscoll

For those experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness, I support housing first policies and major investments to provide stable housing along with healthcare, mental health care, educational and vocational training, and other services. We must increase our investments and support of the human services sector with wage increases and mental health parity in our contracts and policymaking. This can help stabilize individuals and families at risk of homelessness by keeping them connected to their jobs and schooling, as well as their communities and support systems. We must create fair taxation systems, which is why I support the Fair Share Amendment, GILTI, and a tiered corporate minimum tax to ensure that the state has revenues to invest in our people and the resources they need to thrive.

I would work with the Governor, General Court, and Department of Children and Families to ensure that families who are experiencing homelessness are provided housing within the same day of applying for emergency assistance. In addition, we need more housing, of all kinds, in Massachusetts. As Lieutenant Governor, I am committed to overseeing the development of affordable and desirable housing options, including the expansion of transitional housing options as homelessness continues to trend upwards, during this period of economic turmoil.