Executive Order  No. 626: Creating the Governor's Transportation Funding Task Force

WHEREAS, a safe, secure, reliable, and efficient transportation system is essential to our economy, state competitiveness, and quality of life;  

WHEREAS, the people of Massachusetts deserve an equitable and accessible transportation system that addresses the mobility needs and concerns of urban, rural, and suburban residents, residents with disabilities, communities of color, environmental justice communities, and historically underserved or disadvantaged groups;

WHEREAS, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has worked to secure unprecedented levels of federal funding for transportation projects, to complete significant projects to repair and enhance existing transportation infrastructure, and to support cities and towns in their efforts to fix roads, bridges, and sidewalks; 

WHEREAS, there is a well-documented need for major investments by the state in roadways, bridges, capital assets of the MBTA, safety improvements, technology, and climate resiliency measures to protect existing transportation infrastructure and to provide for the transportation infrastructure of the future;  

WHEREAS, the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Massachusetts Fair Share Amendment have provided critical new funding resources that are available to positively impact our transportation infrastructure; 

WHEREAS, the revenue landscape for transportation projects is shifting as electrification increases, and residents change how they access their work, homes, and recreation; 

WHEREAS, there is a pressing need for a sustainable transportation finance plan to fund prudent and affordable multi-modal transportation and mobility resources, and to advance the continued success of our economy, our families, and our communities;

WHEREAS, a comprehensive transportation finance plan must include long-term measures to address the critical transportation investment needs and deferred maintenance backlogs facing the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, Part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1: Governor’s Transportation Funding Task Force

There is hereby established within the Governor’s Office a Governor’s Transportation Funding Task Force.  The Task Force shall be charged with advising the Governor on and making recommendations for a long-term, sustainable transportation finance plan that addresses the need for a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system, including roadways, bridges, railways, and bus and transit systems.  

The Task Force shall review current and projected revenue sources for transportation funding and consider their adequacy to meet long-term transportation funding needs.  In formulating its recommendations, the Task Force shall consider: (i) available financing opportunities for funding the transportation system of the future; (ii) the clean energy transformation of the transportation system and its implications; (iii) how pricing mechanisms may be used to advance transportation and resiliency goals and generate sustainable funding; (iv) strategies for encouraging mass transit, bicycle use, pedestrian-friendly development, and transit-oriented housing and economic development, and discouraging carbon-intensive transportation uses; and (v) the need to create and support a workforce capable of sustaining the implementation of a long-term transportation finance plan.     

Section 2: Composition of Task Force

The Task Force shall be comprised of the Secretary of Transportation, or their designee, who shall serve as Chair; the Secretary of Administration and Finance, or their designee, who shall serve as Vice Chair; the General Manager of the MBTA, or their designee; the Secretaries of the Executive Offices of Economic Development, Labor and Workforce Development, and Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Housing and Livable Communities, or their designees; the Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation, or their designees; the Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure and the Climate Chief, or their designees; the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce; and at least 15 additional members appointed by the Governor, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, 1 of whom shall be a member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the MBTA advisory board, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Transit Authorities, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the 128 Business Council, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, 1 of whom shall be a representative of the Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce, 1 of whom shall be employed by an organization that represents low-income urban communities that have historically been underserved by transit, and 1 of whom shall be employed by an organization that represents low-income rural communities that have historically been underserved by transit.  

Appointed members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, in an advisory capacity and without compensation.  The Task Force shall meet not less than every three months and as often as the Chair directs.

Section 3:  Working Committees and Advisory Groups

The Chair may convene, as needed, working committees consisting of members of the Task Force.  All working committees shall be chaired by a member of the Task Force designated by the Chair.  Working committees shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the Chair or the working committee leader.

The Chair may convene, as needed, advisory groups consisting of individuals with relevant experience or expertise to provide advice with respect to the development of a long-term, sustainable transportation finance plan.  Such advisory groups shall perform a purely advisory function, and participants shall serve without compensation at the pleasure of the Chair.  All advisory groups shall be led by a member of the Task Force, as designated by the Chair.  Advisory groups shall meet from time to time, as scheduled by the Chair or the advisory group leader.

Section 4: Report

The Task Force shall provide a written report to the Governor detailing its findings and recommendations by December 31, 2024. 

Section 5: Compatibility with Existing Laws

Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to require action inconsistent with any applicable state or federal law.

Section 6: Effective Date

This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall continue in effect until 60 days after the Task Force has delivered to the Governor its final written report.