SECTION 1. The Massachusetts General Laws are hereby amended by inserting the
following new chapter:
An Act to establish a Massachusetts Transportation Endowment Fund (MTEF).
1.) PURPOSES – Massachusetts has been a pioneer in developing, and expanding mass
transportation for its population. In doing so, a consistent part of development, includes the
continuing capital expenditures needed, to expand, and improve mass transit lines, particularly
the fixed rail lines, stations, and other facilities; and resources for such, which often appear
weak; or in need of capital upgrading; and/or are non-existent.
2.) Thus, it is important to identify, secure, provide for, and expand sources of capital
expenditures, and this Statute, is designed for that purpose.
3.) Each and every year, a sum of not less than $200,000,000, ($200 Million), shall be
transferred to a Massachusetts Transportation Endowment Fund (MTEF).
4.) This money, shall become a permanent trust fund, operating as an endowment, with
significantly described requirements, and provisions. Income from the fund, may be used, only
for capital construction, and improvements, of mass transportation lines, stations, and facilities,
and needed additional directly related construction.
5.) Principal amounts, shall become fixed Endowment Principal, together with other
specified amounts, to be further described.
6a.) When the fund principal, exceeds $1,000,000,000 ($1 Billion) in Endowment
Principal; the formula for use, shall change:
6b.) Half of the annual contribution of $200,000,000 ($200 Million) may be directed to capital
expenditures; while $100,000,000 ($100 Million) is directed to increase in the Endowment
Principal.
6c.) Half of the annual income, may be utilized for capital expenditures.
New non-fare revenues, from businesses on transit properties, shall be apportioned, with
half of such revenues going to Operations, and half to the Endowment Principal.
7.) A Capital Project Approval Board (CPAB), of five (5) members, shall review
potential capital projects, establish a priority listing, and annually announce their decisions
publicly.
8.) The five (5) members appointed shall be:
One (1) by the General Manager of the MBTA; one (1) by the Secretary of
Transportation, one (1) by the Governor; one (1) by the State Treasurer; and one (1) by the
Attorney General. Their terms shall be of five (5) years duration, with one new regular,
and renewable appointment, available each year.
9.) An Annual Report, publicly available, and generally publicized, shall be issued, detailing
the current financial circumstances, and situation of the MTEF Fund, and the decisions made by
its Capital Projects Approval Board, in its most recently completed year.
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