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Bill Straus proudly represents the 10th Bristol District in the Massachusetts Legislature. Bill received a bachelors degree from Middlebury College, his law degree from Georgetown University and also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Prior to his election as Representative, Bill served as an Assistant District Attorney in Bristol County for six years prosecuting criminal cases on behalf of the Commonwealth. He also was a member of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission and was a founding board member of the Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford.
Bill is the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Transportation. He has been involved extensively in transportation issues as a legislator. He was the original sponsor of legislation that added the Port of New Bedford to the Steamship Authority system now connecting New Bedford with Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. As Transportation Chair he was instrumental in securing the funding for SouthCoast Rail—now under construction and due to begin passenger service to Boston in 2023. As Transportation Chair this term, Bill’s work has already lead to a jump in local road and bridge money from the state that goes directly to the towns and cities.
Bill has also worked on a number of issues in the legislature including education, protection of our drinking water aquifer, healthcare and privacy matters. He is the original sponsor of the state’s ‘do-not’call’ list to protect people from nuisance calls from telemarketers.
$4 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL NEAR FINAL APPROVAL IN STATE HOUSE AND SENATE TO INCLUDE MAJOR IMPROVEMENT FOR NEW BEDFORD'S POPES ISLAND MARINA.
A House-Senate Conference Committee on Beacon Hill filed a completed agreement on Tuesday for legislation providing renewed investment in the state's economy including the life sciences sector setting up Massachusetts for continued economic growth. A series of procedural votes in both chambers will need to be completed before the measure advances to the Governor's desk. While there is much in the bill for people to focus upon, I wanted to highlight the importance of the work done by the House and Senate members who represent New Bedford with regard to finally creating a workable lease and management structure for the state's Popes Island Marina; I am confidant that this change will ensure that this valuable port asset is maintained and taken care of. The marina was authorized and funded through state funds approved by the Legislature in the early 1990's. Sadly, a later agreement between a state agency and the city nearly twenty years ago was not fully honored by city administrations and the pier structure was allowed to decay to the point where today much restoration work is required. Section 296 of the bill sets up a new lease structure with transparent lease payments and responsibilities for the city and state. This language reflects an important consensus of all five state representatives for the city, and Senator Montigny. Everyone in the House delegation, Chris Hendricks, Tony Cabral, Chris Markey, Paul Schmid and myself, played a part in the success of this legislative effort and it was designed based upon priority goals shared with the delegation by the Healey-Driscoll administration. … See MoreSee Less
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Thank you for your service Bill. Thank you for your steady dedication to the tax payers of your district. I'm confident that Mark will do the same for us. I hope you enjoy your retirement!
Bill, thank you for all your work to bring prosperity and quality of life to the south coast and beyond
Unbelievable
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF PUBLIC TRANSIT ON THE SOUTHCOAST.
I was honored to join in a 50th anniversary celebration for regional bus service for the SouthCoast as provided by SRTA (Southeast Regional Transit Authority) on Friday. Congratulations to the operators and staff at SRTA as this public agency has been able to expand service routes and times through increased funding from the state and federal government. The honored guest was State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. I was joined at the event by my colleagues Senator Mike Rodrigues, Reps Chris Markey, State Representative Paul Schmid, Carole Fiola, Steve Howitt and local mayors. … See MoreSee Less
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I JUST FILED MY COMMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGARDING SITING OF FURTHER OFFSHORE WIND LEASES IN THE CENTRAL ATLANTIC BANK
The Federal Government has recently issued a call for comments on what could be further offshore wind leases in an area to the south vital to many New Bedford based scallopers. Known as "CAB 2", this possible leasing area is NOT part of Massachusetts' renewable energy plans BUT the way in which a future plan is developed is very important to our port and the ability of many scallopers to continue to fish the area. For that reason I prepared a public comment calling for close monitoring and even exclusion of some areas from wind power leasing within CAB 2 which have already been identified as key scallop habitat areas in a report from the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences. I support the expansion of renewable energy sources in response to climate change but also believe we can do this in a balanced way which considers sensitive and vital natural marine habitats. You can read my comment letter yourself at the this link:
www.repstraus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BOEM-2024-0040.pdf … See MoreSee Less
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I was glad to see today in emails that the City of New Bedford through its Harbor Development Commission (dba NB Port Authority) has also joined in expressing concerns about the siting issues involved in the CAB2 area so important to New Bedford based scallopers.
As a candidate for state representative in the 10th Bristol District, I stand with Representative Straus on his letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the commercial leasing for wind power on the Central Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (CAB2). This is a critical issue for our fishing industry. BOEM must ensure that any leases or siting decisions protect the vital fishing areas in and around CAB2, including implementing exclusion areas and buffer zones where necessary. As your next state representative, I will fight to protect our critical fishing grounds and be a tireless advocate for the long-term sustainability of our fishing industry. – Mark Sylvia
Thank you Bill! For those that are questioning, the area in dispute has produced almost 1.5 Billion dollars worth of scallops over the last 16 years, much of which was sold in New Bedford (NOAA study). Loss of this area would be devastating to the local fleet.
Great organization providing fresh nutritious food to the local population from over 60 local farm partners. … See MoreSee Less
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We so greatly appreciate you Rep. Straus!
FAIRHAVEN-NEW BEDFORD BRIDGE PROJECT ADVANCES WITH COAST GUARD NAVIGATION APPROVAL
Here's an update with some really good news on the bridge project. Just yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a critical navigation approval to the state for the replacement of the outdated Route 6 bridge between Fairhaven and New Bedford. The U.S. Coast Guard issued an approval letter (known as a PNCD or Preliminary Navigation Clearance Determination) agreeing with the MassDOT proposal for a bridge with a significant new wider navigation channel of 260' and a minimum height when the road deck is elevated of 138'. For comparison, the bridges over the Cape Cod Canal have a vertical height clearance of 135'. You can read the October 4, 2024 PNCD from the Coast Guard yourself at this link:
www.repstraus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PNCD-Letter-to-MassDOT-Sep-2024.pdf
This Coast Guard acceptance of the navigation changes to the channel opening means that MassDOT can now advance its design plans for the proposed project to the important 25% level. That will then trigger public hearings on the MassDOT recommendation for a bridge type known as Vertical Lift–that is a type of bridge where the road deck elevates between two towers. An example is the rail bridge over the Cape Cod Canal.
In early August the entire state legislative delegation (myself, Senator Mark Montigny, Representatives Chris Hendricks, Tony Cabral, Chris Markey and Paul Schmid) sent a letter to the US Coast Guard asking for it to act promptly on this design issue. I previously shared a link to our letter in an earlier bridge update posting.
The design for a new bridge includes vehicle travel lanes but also dedicated bike lanes in both directions. The wider road deck and the wider and safer navigation channel will bring improvements for all users of the new bridge whether on the water or the bridge itself. … See MoreSee Less
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We are happy that "the design for a new bridge includes vehicle travel lanes but also dedicated bike lanes in both directions." Let's ensure they are separated and protected for the safety of all road users. www.mass.gov/doc/chapter-2-planning/download
CONGRATULATIONS TO MATTAPOISETT'S LEE HEALD FOR APPOINTMENT TO GOVERNOR'S ARTS COUNCIL.
SouthCoast resident, and AHA Night founder, Lee Heald was sworn in today by Governor Healey as a member of the Cultural Economy Advisory Council. We all know Lee around here for the amazing work she did in running the AHA Nights in New Bedford. Her experience in the arts world made her the obvious choice for me to recommend to the Governor earlier this year for inclusion on the Council. The Council, operating under Economic Affairs Secretary Yvonne Hao, will advance the work of the Arts in Massachusetts and recognizes the contribution to our economy. Congratulations to Lee, and to Governor Healey for recognizing the value of gaining this SouthCoast voice on cultural activities for Massachusetts. Learn more about the Council at the link below.
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Healey-Driscoll Administration Appoints Cultural Economy Advisory Council Members
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Congratulations Candace Lee Heald! This is a great choice for the SouthCoast.
SOUTH COAST RAIL ARRIVES IN NEW BEDFORD!
Well it was a smooth and fast ride yesterday and I was glad to have a chance to join the day's scheduled inspection ride all the way from Boston to New Bedford's new downtown station. The safety checks continue; these tests have progressed well and the test trains now travel up to the programmed top speed of 79 MPH on stretches outside of stations and crossings. For those who I always expect to say "I'll believe it when I see it", you can start watching below.
Thanks to Governor Healey for seeing this through under the dedicated supervision of MBTA General Manager Phil Eng.
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MBTA general manager talks future of South Coast Rail during test stop in New Bedford
turnto10.com
South Coast Rail carried passengers into New Bedford Wednesday afternoon, something that has not been done in decades.Comment on Facebook
I AM JOINING AN INSPECTION RIDE OF SOUTHCOAST RAIL FROM MIDDLEBORO TO NEW BEDFORD LATER THIS WEEK
With the testing continuing on the SouthCoast Rail project progressing along it is now reaching the top eventual speeds for operation of over 75 miles per hour. Although more detailed testing will continue until final Federal Rail safety approval and public service begins in 2025, I am excited that I and members of the SouthCoast delegation will have an opportunity to ride the train this Wednesday from the new Middleboro station to downtown New Bedford. This is a significant step and I'm sure more information will be coming soon. … See MoreSee Less
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Thank you so much for your part in this Bill !!!
Can’t wait 🥰