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AIM President and Chief Executive Officer Brooke Thomson was among 15 members of a new Transportation Funding Task Force to be sworn in last week before getting to work on the state’s transportation system.
The Task Force will develop recommendations for a long-term, sustainable transportation finance plan. The recommendations will address roadways, bridges, railways, and bus and transit systems. The panel includes public and private sector leaders and is chaired by Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
As outlined in the Governor Maura Healey’s Executive Order, the Task Force will provide a final written report to the governor detailing their findings and recommendations by the end of 2024.
“The Massachusetts economy depends upon the ability of employees to get to work and home again. Employers need good roads, bridges and public transit to succeed. I’m honored to represent employers from across Massachusetts on this task force,” Thomson said.
Transportation and housing have emerged as key issues for AIM’s 3,400 member companies as workers struggle to get to work amid stifling traffic and unreliable public transportation. Commuting problems are often cited as a reason for the outmigration of working-age adults from the commonwealth during the past several years.
Thomson stressed that she intends to be a voice for employers in every region of Massachusetts whose needs extend beyond the challenges of mass transit in Greater Boston. She also noted that AIM will support plans that do not penalize individuals who must use cars or trucks to conduct their business or get to work.
“We have assembled some of the top minds in transportation from across the public and private sectors to help us chart a course for transportation financing in the clean energy era,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “How we plan today will determine how we will commute, travel, work and succeed in the future, which is why we need to get this right. We have utmost confidence in our Task Force members, who represent communities from across our state, and we thank them for their service.”
AIM members who wish to provide input to the Task Force may contact Stephanie Swanson, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs, sswanson@aimnet.org.
