REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES SURVEY RESULTS

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1 REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES SURVEY RESULTS QUESTIONS & sought contact information. Total Responses: Responses came from of CMRPC s communities, Planning Boards, Boards of Selectmen, Private Companies, Non-Profit organizations. Organizations that work in many CMRPC towns Athol Auburn Barre Berlin Boylston Brookfield Charlton Grafton Hardwick Mendon Millbury Northborough Paxton Princeton Rutland Shrewsbury Southbridge Spencer Sturbridge Sutton West Boylston Westborough Worcester North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership East Quabbin Land Trust Worcester Community Action Council Communications Company Consultant Real Estate Company Technology companies

2 QUESTION : PLEASE PRIORITIZE THE TOP ISSUES THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ADDRESS TO ASSIST YOUR COMMUNITY. The listed menu items were developed after reviewing legislative activities of Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), Mass Chapter of the American Planning Association (Mass APA), Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and others. Answer Options st nd rd th th Rating Average Response Count Assist cities and towns as they identify regionalization and efficiency opportunities. Promote an act to promote municipal relief through regional collaboration [Related Bill - S./H.9]; 7. Safeguard and promote successful municipal health insurance reform. Monitor and work to promote and facilitate the effective implementation of the new municipal health insurance reform law. Promote and act to advance municipal health insurance reform [Related Bill - H. 9]; 6. 9 Support higher levels of transportation funding and invest in local roads and bridges. Ensure reauthorization of full Chapter 9 funding (at $ million) for local roads; 8. CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

3 Answer Options st nd rd th th Rating Average Response Count Restore and protect key special education funds. Increase funding for the special education circuit-breaker and expand to include transportation costs; Enhance local revenue capacity. Focus on increasing municipal revenue options, pursued as another municipal relief package ; 8. 8 Oppose UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES related to water and sewer infrastructure. Address water management act, stormwater management and environmental mandates, and oppose any ballot measure or proposal to cap local water and sewer rates; Secure reform to ensure sustainable benefits for public employees: support pension/retirement system reform to address long-term structural problems. Monitor possible changes to Chapter 9;.9 Promote acts that provide municipal energy efficiency program grants and incentives [Related Bill - S. 66];.6 9 CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

4 Answer Options st nd rd th th Rating Average Response Count Promote the passage of an act to sustain Community Preservation [Related Bill - S.8/H.76];. Promote the passage of an act providing for disposition of surplus state real property based on smart growth land use policies. [Related Bill - S.67/H.];.8 Promote the passage of an act relative to Comprehensive Land Use Reform And Partnership (CLURPA) [Related Bill - S.9];. CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

5 Prioritize the top issues that the state government should address to assist your community st nd rd th th Assist cities and towns as they identify regionalization and efficiency opportunities. Promote an act to promote municipal relief through regional Safeguard and promote successful municipal health insurance reform. Monitor and work to promote and facilitate the effective implementation of the new Support higher levels of transportation funding and invest in local roads and bridges. Ensure reauthorization of full Chapter 9 funding (at $ million) for Restore and protect key special education funds. Increase funding for the special education circuit-breaker and expand to include transportation costs; Enhance local revenue capacity. Focus on increasing municipal revenue options, pursued as another municipal relief package ; Oppose UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES related to water and sewer infrastructure. Address water management act, stormwater management and environmental Secure reform to ensure sustainable benefits for public employees: support pension/retirement system reform to address long-term structural problems. Promote acts that provide municipal energy efficiency program grants and incentives [Related Bill - S. 66]; Promote the passage of an act to sustain Community Preservation [Related Bill - S.8/H.76]; Promote the passage of an act providing for disposition of surplus state real property based on smart growth land use policies. [Related Bill - S.67/H.]; Promote the passage of an act relative to Comprehensive Land Use Reform And Partnership (CLURPA) [Related Bill - S.9]; CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

6 Additional Responses: Promote the passage of an act to assist towns with a regional school district, to implement control spending by regional schools. Funding for community land conservation efforts to protect farms, working forests, and recreational areas Improve regional transportation services (bus transit) to south county Pass An ALL Plastics Bottle Bill Redemption #, This will cut vast amounts of recyclable plastic out of municipalities waste burning, enhancing air quality and cutting environmental "debris" cleaning costs. Regionalization on this issue would be a top priority. Water mandates should be in place with proper enforcement they'd pay for themselves if science trumped politics. Now is the wrong time to sell state asset property. Support the effort for "No Net Loss" with regards to Article 97 lands. Form a Worcester County Council of Governments (WCOG) Promote hydro-electric development Increased local aid! CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page 6

7 QUESTION : PLEASE PRIORITIZE THE TOP ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE MONITORED WITH REGARD TO THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT IMPACTS YOUR COMMUNITY. Answer Options st nd rd Rating Average Response Count Oppose EPA storm and waste water mandates Encourage greater support for development of more public transportation options.68 9 Encourage the federal government to establish strong relationships with cities and towns.7 Support funding for transportation road repairs and upgrades. Support funding for improved Public Safety facilities 9.9 Advocate against federal budget cuts to local and state governments in key program areas; 7. Support funding to extend broadband service.7 7 Monitor Massachusetts' exemption from No Child Left Behind and how it will impact local schools and how they currently do business. CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page 7

8 Prioritize the top issues that should be monitored with regard to the federal legislation that impacts your community st nd rd Oppose EPA storm and waste water mandates 6 Encourage greater support for development of more public transportation options Encourage the federal government to establish strong relationships with cities and towns Support funding for transportation road repairs and upgrades Support funding for improved Public Safety facilities 9 Advocate against federal budget cuts to local and state governments in key program areas; 7 Support funding to extend broadband service Monitor Massachusetts' exemption from No Child Left Behind and how it will impact local schools and how they currently do business Additional responses: Acts pertaining to designating Mobile homes as low income housing. Full fund Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page 8

9 Do not cut core funding CSBG, CDBG, LIHEAP, and Weatherization/WAP Support Water quality improvements for a healthier quality of life. Avoid burning so much waste and use recycling for cutting negative air impacts. Better coordinate regional transportation projects with cities and towns to lessen commuter traffic impacts and get local Worcester DPW to stop blocking detours when they are supposed to facilitate detoured traffic. Public transportation spending is a waste for the areas west of Worcester. Better roads are the only solution. Support Land and Water Conservation Funding Use/participate in use of federal funds/grant programs for conservation land acquisitions Further support for Recreational Facilities CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page 9

10 QUESTION : WHAT ARE THE TOP CONCERNS THAT YOUR COMMUNITY MUST ADDRESS IN THE COMING FISCAL YEAR? Answer Options st nd rd Rating Average Response Count Housing.7 Education 9. 9 Economic Development Employment Opportunities.88 8 Transportation 6.9 Health Care 6. Regionalization 6.79 Public Health.67 Public Safety/Homeland Security. 7 Energy 7. 9 CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

11 Answer Options st nd rd Rating Average Response Count Natural Resources. 9 Social Services. 8 CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

12 The top concerns that your community must address in the coming fiscal year st nd rd Housing Education Economic Development Employment Opportunities Transportation Health Care Regionalization Public Health Public Safety/Homeland Security Energy Natural Resources Social Services CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page

13 Additional Responses There is a growing need for local business incubators for shared office suites for smbs in startups. There is also a huge need for CMRPC outreach to develop interests for citizens to serve on boards BEFORE they are appointed. This is contrary to how CPTC currently does their backwards approach, and, it s why people won't put themselves in a position to be in litigation. CMRPC & CPTC need face the dearth of candidates on all municipal boards and start outreach for building a pool of interested candidates. Too much spending on marginal fire and police services, too much spending due to funding from malls, too much property tax increases Municipal facilities, historical preservation Recreation Facilities Maintenance of aging public buildings and infrastructure Funding for capital needs CMRPC Regional Legislative Priorities Survey Results May Page