Embedded Files
MetroCommon 2050 Goal: Local governments and regional agencies have the capacity and resources to deliver the services and supports our residents deserve, and to maintain and invest in our built and natural environments.
Engaging State Legislators and Coalition Building
Throughout the year, MAPC staff worked closely with coalition partners, community-based organizations (CBOs), and municipal stakeholders to discuss important priorities. Ten MAPC departments testified on bills endorsed by MAPC at the State House. We're grateful for the work of our Legislative Committee and Executive Committee in helping to define MAPC's policy priorities.
March 2023: Julie Curti, Director of Clean Energy, joined organizations and others to provide information on the $300M Zero Carbon Renovation Fund legislation introduced by Representative Vargas and Senator Gomez.
Photo Credit: MAPC
March 2023: MAPC staff and Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies (MARPA) members at DLTA (District Local Technical Assistance) Day at the State House.
Photo Credit: MAPC
March 2023: On March 20 local officials, mayors and city managers, community leaders, law enforcement officers, and youth gathered for the 2023 Community Safety Day on the Hill to support the Shannon Community Safety Initiative and the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative.
Photo Credit: Georgia Barlow, MAPC
May 2023: Barry Keppard, Public Health Director and Mayor Brodeur (Melrose) - on behalf of the Metro Mayors Coalition, testified in support of SAPHE 2.0 legislation.
Photo Credit: MAPC
May 2023: Environment Director Martin Pillsbury joined with coalition partners to support Flood Risk Protection program legislation.
Photo Credit: MAPC
June 2023: The Local Option for Housing Affordability (LOHA) Coalition, co-led by MAPC, hosted a legislative briefing in support of Rep. Connolly and Senator Comerford's local option transfer fee legislation (H.2747/S.1771). The event drew more than 100 legislators, advocates and allies to the State House with remarks from sponsors Representative Mike Connolly and Senator Jo Comerford, former MA Secretary of Housing and Economic, Dan O'Connell, and realtors, housing advocates and renters from across the Commonwealth. Photos Credit: MAPC
August 2023: Travis Pollack, Senior Transportation Planner, provided testimony at the Joint Committee on Transportation regarding H.3372 and S.2367.
Photo Credit: MAPC
September 2023: Annis Sengupta, PhD, Director of Arts and Culture, joins partners and advocates to testify in support of H.3241/S.530 and H.3246/S.2190.
Photo Credit: MAPC
October 2023: Marc Draisen, Executive Director presented at the 2023 Statewide Municipal Partnerships Conference.
Photo Credit: MAPC
Presenting in the MAPC Region
March 2023: Annis Sengupta, PhD, Director of Arts and Culture testified at the Boston City Council's hearing on the loss of rehearsal space for musicians in Boston.
Photo Credit: MAPC
May 2023: Julia Nassar, Clean Energy and Climate Planner II and Brooks Winner, Senior Clean Energy Specialist presented the draft of the Peabody Net Zero Roadmap to the Peabody City Council.
Photo Credit: Brooks Winner, MAPC
October 2023: Sarah Scott, Clean Regional Land Use Planner II presented to four tenth grade classes at Lynnfield High School about planning and their vision for Lynnfield.
Photo Credit: MAPC
Legislator of the Year Award
Representative Adrian Madaro
1st Suffolk
Left to Right: Lizzi Weyant, MAPC; Marc Draisen, MAPC; Representative Adrian Madaro; Adam Chapdelaine, former MAPC Board President
Photo Credit: MAPC
Legislative Staffer of the Year Award
Christie Getto Young
Senator Sal DiDomenico's Chief of Staff
Left to Right: Lizzi Weyant, MAPC; Christie Getto Young; Senator Sal DiDomenico; Marc Draisen, MAPC; Adam Chapdelaine, former MAPC Board President
Photo Credit: MAPC
Six In-person Spring Legislative Breakfasts Hosted in 2023
Minutemen Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC)
Attended By:
Representative Carmine Gentile
Representative Danillo Sena
Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan
Senator James Eldridge
Photo Credit: MAPC
Three Rivers Interlocal Council (TRIC)
Attended By:
Chair Bill Driscoll
Senator Rebecca Rausch
Senator Paul Feeney
Representative Edward Phillips
Photo Credit: MAPC
MetroWest Regional Collaborative (MWRC)
Attended By:
Representative Kate Donaghue
Representative Priscila Sousa
Photo Credit: MAPC
The North Shore Task Force (NSTF) and North Shore Planning Council (NSPC) Joint Breakfast
Attended By:
Representative Kristin Kassner
Representative Richard Haggerty
Representative Michelle Ciccolo
Chair Michael Day
Photo Credit: MAPC
SouthWest Advisory Planning Council (SWAP)
Attended By:
Representative Brian Murray
Senator Rebecca Rausch
Photo Credit: MAPC
South Shore Coalition (SSC)
Attended By:
Representative Joan Meschino
Senator Patrick O'Connor
Senator John F. Keenan
Image Credit: MAPC
Local youth, community leaders, and law enforcement at the 2023 Shannon Grant Summerfest.
Photo Credit: MAPC.
Metro Mayors Shannon Grant Community Safety Initiative (Shannon Grant)
The Metro Mayors Shannon Grant Community Safety Initiative is a state-funded program that supports regional approaches to combating gang violence through law enforcement, job training, and after school programs.
In January 2023, for the 17th consecutive year, MAPC was awarded $757,147.86 through the Shannon Grant for the Metro Mayors Community Safety Initiative who works to combat youth violence.
2023 Metro Mayors Shannon Grant Summerfest
Summerfest is an annual event that brings together local youth, community leaders, and law enforcement involved in the Shannon Grant program, focused on having a safe summer. In 2023, the event was held on August 5, and included 78 youth from Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop. Photos Credit: MAPC
Local, State, and Federal Funding Opportunities
MAPC provided funding opportunities and technical assistance to cities and towns in the Greater Boston Metro region with resources and technical assistance for state and federal grant opportunities. Such as new state funding under the Grant Assistance Program (GAP) which allowed MAPC to support communities as they pursued state and federal grants.
District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) Funds
MAPC awarded DLTA funds to 53 projects in 2023. Fourteen projects involved multiple municipalities, furthering regional collaboration.
Read more about the projects.
Technical Assistance Program (TAP)
April 2023: MAPC awarded more than $400k to 15 local projects.
Read the press release.
State and Federal Grant Assistance
MAPC created the Federal Funding Opportunities Center to keep communities informed of grant opportunities.
MAPC worked with coalitions of municipalities to apply for millions of dollars from US HUD, USDOT, and US EPA. MAPC helped individual cities and towns secure over $400,000 in state planning grants.
Statements Issued by MAPC
MAPC issued 8 statements throughout the year.
January
MAPC Statement on Monterey Park Shooting
January 23, 2023
March
MAPC Statement on Passing of Mel King
March 29, 2023
June
September
MAPC Thanks Governor Healey for Signing Executive Order to Improve Language Access
September 15, 2023
November
MAPC Comments on MBTA's State of Good Repair Needs
November 16, 2023
Also be sure to check out the 2023 MAPC Media Coverage Report for highlights of state and local coverage of MAPC's work in the region.
Legislative and Budget Accomplishments
The Government Affairs team develops policy and budget priorities that reflect the goals outlined in MetroCommon 2050 and advocates on behalf of the cities and towns in our region.
Visit the Legislative Priorities webpage to learn more.
Access the press release about the priorities below.
Section Header Photo Credit: AdobeStock_405865434
District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA)
Funded at $3 million and an additional $2 million was included for RPAs (Regional Planning Agencies) to assist municipalities with federal grant opportunities.
Shannon Community Safety Initiative (Shannon Grant)
Funded at $12.8 million - a $500,000 increase from 2022.
Education and Transportation Fund
Fair Share Amendment:
$1 billion for education and transportation ($524 million for education and $477 million for transportation).
Universal School Meals
Funded at $176 million, Massachusetts becomes the 8th state in the United States now providing universal free school meals for K-12 students.
MassReconnect
Provides funding of $20 million for individuals who are 25-years-old and above to attend a Massachusetts community college for free. This was also funded through the Fair Share Act.
Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
Funded at $4.9 million - a $1 million increase from 2022 - it provides a dollar-for-dollar match for every SNAP dollar spent on fruits and vegetables.
Efficiency and Regionalization Grants and Community Compact
Received $600,000 within the 1599-0026 account (MAPC had requested $2 million).
Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
Funded at $179 million - an increase of $25 million from the year before - this program supports moving those who are homeless into stable housing.
Regional Transit Authorities (RTA)
$94 million in RTA funding
$56 million included to fund operational enhancements and improvements
$15 million to fund the continuation of a fare-free pilot program
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Funded at $52 million - an increase of $7 million from the prior year - to support the work of the Department.
Did You Know?
The Metropolitan Mayors Coalition was established in 2001 to allow leaders of the urban core of Metro Boston to create solutions for common problems, with MAPC providing staff support and policy expertise.
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