Results tagged “rmv”

• Thirteen communities Massachusetts are getting $8.1 million in federal stimulus cash to rehire 127 firefighters. [Boston Herald]

• While Martha Coakley has some favorable polling data, Alan Khazei has something Coakley probably won't get: the endorsement of a Kennedy, in this case, RFK's son Max Kennedy. [Boston Globe]

Transportation is a big problem in Massachusetts. Let's recap, shall we? We have traffic, of course, texting trolley drivers, tunnels that kill people, government officials more interested in a feud than what commuters pay for public transportation, near collisions at the airport, a rash of crashes with older drivers.

In the wake of a few tragic automobile accidents, the state is seeking ways to ensure that older drivers are safe on the road. The latest proposal calls for retesting at 85 years of age, but some lawmakers want to push it down to 75 or 80. Considering that our grandma retells us the same story five times each time we see her, they may want to consider that 75 figure. Unless, hopefully, grandma's stopping five times at every stop sign as well. Other reforms in development include ending auto insurance discounts for senior citizens; a recent study also found that drivers over 75 cause more accidents (which frequently seem to be the "step-on-the-gas-instead-of-the-brake" kind, at least if anecdotes we remember are any indication) than most adults.

The MBTA is getting serious about its budget shortfall, enforcing payment of fares like never before. Fare evasion citations have skyrocketed this year, with 603 citations issued in the first quarter of 2009. Compare that with 277 citations in the first quarter of 2008 and 117 in the first quarter of 2007, or 1391 citations in all of 2008 and 818 citations in all of 2007. We're on track for 2400 citations this year, which is at least $36,000 in fines (or more: the fines escalate quickly, from $15 to $100 to $250)—assuming people actually pay them.

-- Passive aggressive notes from BC are "great practice for when you are living alone or with your husband." [Passive Aggressive Notes]

• The Barenaked Ladies are still naked, but now minus Steven Page. Mix 98-5 has an interview. [WBZ]
• PWD FTW! [Globe]
• Even Disney's offering deals in this economy. [NYT]

A couple of weeks ago, Bostonist sat at the Chinatown RMV for an hour and a half, waiting to get our driver's license. While we waited, a man tried to get an ID card using the wrong proof-of-address. The RMV examiner sent him away, only to see him return 15 minutes later with a slightly less dubious proof-of-address. What transpired was almost worth the $90 cover charge.

--So, there's a guy who comes to the United States from another nation, and he puts in his time. He works hard, and he commits a grand public service that few American citizens are brave enough to try--teach high school. And what does he get for his trouble? Deported. [Boston Globe]

For all those who have wondered why the United States doesn't have a viable third party, the wait is over. The state of Massachusetts has been busy building a new third party from the ground up, and you didn't even know it!