Community groups speak out against Shortsleeve transit board appointment

Local groups are joining together in opposition to Governor Baker’s proposed appointment of outgoing MBTA Chief Administrator and Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve to the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board.

In an open letter addressed to the legislature, Massachusetts Senior Action Council, Alternatives for Community and Environment, GreenRoots, and the Chinese Progressive Association, expressed concerns about Shortsleeve’s failure to disclose new business interests and questioning whether they create conflicts of interest.

This opposition to Baker’s continued efforts to privatize MBTA services, further demonstrate the community’s frustration with privatization efforts and highlight the urgent need for investment in public transportation services.

Other groups that have since signed on to the letter include: Chelsea Collaborative; City Life/Vida Urbana; Clean Water Action Massachusetts; the Coalition for Social Justice; the Immigrant Worker Center Collaborative; the Mass Voter Table; Matahari Women’s Worker Center; and New England United for Justice.