Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Debate: Senator Kelly Dooner's on the MBTA Communities Act
Yesterday, during the Senate's FY26 budget debate, State Senator Kelly Dooner delivered her inaugural remarks with strength, clarity, and purpose - focusing on the impacts of the MBTA Communities Act, also known as, Chapter 40, Section 3A.
Her remarks reflected the very serious concerns raised by many cities and towns in regards to the application of this law. Those concerns are the reason I filed last year, and once again this year, Amendment #13, '3A Multi-Family Zoning -- MBTA Communities Appeal.'
My proposal directs the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to establish a regulatory process through which a municipality can appeal for relief from the 3A zoning provisions.
That relief could be granted based on key concerns, such as:
1. Inability to meet drinking water supply requirements,
2. Inadequate wastewater treatment capacity,
3. Insufficient transportation infrastructure to safely support increased population, or
4. Adverse environmental impacts linked to housing developments under the mandate.
Congratulations again to Senator Dooner on a powerful first speech—I know it’s just the beginning of many meaningful contributions to the Senate.
You can see her full inaugural remarks in the following video linked below.
https://www.facebook.com/SenatorBruceTarr/videos/691772300474784/
