THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2026 Page 3 Revere City Council Unanimously Passes Resolution Supporting Legislation To Modernize Student Transportation Resolution Supports MA FASST Coalition Efforts to Lower School Transportation Costs and Address Vendor Shortages R EVERE, MA — The Revere City Council voted unanimously on Monday, July 27 to pass a resolution supporting the MA Friends of Aff ordable Safe Student Transportation Coalition (MA FASST), endorsing House Bill 3772 (fi led by Representative Jeff rey Roy, Franklin) and Senate Bill 3021 (filed by Senator Brendan Crighton, Lynn). The resolution urges the Massachusetts Legislature to swiftly pass legislation that will provide immediate operational and financial relief to municipalities, especially for those with special education students and students experiencing homelessness. The Council’s resolution highlights the soaring cost of specialized transportation, pointing to recent findings from the state Office of the Inspector General that identifi ed barriers to market competition, including outdated mandates for permanent vehicle modifi cations that restrict the pool of available vendors, increasing costs and district defi cits across the state, specifi cally under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90, Section 7D rules. The proposed bills, H.3772 and S.3021, update Section 7D regulations for post-2018 vehicles by replacing permanent vehicle requirements with more options while strengthening applicable safety standards under existing law. “We all have seen the impact with the cost of transportation over the last few years,” Revere City Councillor Marc Silvestri said during the meeting. “It would help save a lot of money for our special needs transportation, so this is something that we would support.” State Senator Lydia Edwards, Third Suff olk District, a Senate supporter of the legislation, voiced support for the eff ort. “Modernizing our student transportation rules is a win-win for our communities,” said Senator Edwards. “It maintains the highest safety standards for our students while delivering meaningful fi scal relief to Revere and school districts across the Commonwealth.” “Every student deserves safe, reliable transportation to and from school, and our communities deserve policies that make providing that service more aff ordable. This legislation is a practical, commonsense update that maintains strong safety standards while helping school districts reduce costs, increase competition among transportation providers, and better serve stuCITY COUNCIL | SEE Page 15 Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at:WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
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