Capuano Talks Washington Gridlock, Budget Cuts at Breakfast

Speaking to the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, Rep. Michael Capuano said "zealots" in Congress are not willing to compromise.

"I don't think there's much we'll be able to get accomplished this year," said Rep. Michael Capuano, speaking about the current state of Congress during a breakfast talk to the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Tuesday morning. With both parties in election mode, "I don't expect much significant to happen," he said. Capuano, a former mayor of Somerville, spoke at Mount Vernon Restaurant in East Somerville. He talked about transportation funding, the Green Line extension and the general climate in Washington. Government gridlock and the seemingly growing divide between political parties are occurring because "so many people have walked away from the party system," Capuano said. "When people walk away from the party system, they walk away from …

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Capuano to Give Breakfast Talk to Somerville Chamber of Commerce

The congressman will speak at 8 a.m. on Jan. 31 at Mount Vernon Restaurant.

The following was provided by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce. For more information and for tickets to the talk—$25 for members, $30 for non-members—contact Stephen Mackey at (617) 776-4100 or smackey@somervillechamber.org Michael Everett Capuano is serving his seventh term as a Representative in Congress for Massachusetts' Eighth District, which includes Cambridge, Chelsea, Somerville and approximately 70% of Boston. He is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Financial Services. In November 2006, Mike was appointed to head the Transition by then Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi as Democrats prepared for a majority role in the 110th Congress. In January 2007, Speaker Pelosi …

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Letter to the Editor

Op-Ed: Capuano Outlines His Green Line Position

The Somerville congressman believes Massachusetts should move forward with as much of the Green Line project as it can while the current governor is still in office.

  Rep. Michael Capuano spoke to the Somerville Board of Aldermen on Dec. 8 and said the city needs to get "realistic" about the state's financial situation and how that situation impacts the proposed Green Line extension. This week, Richard Davey, Massachusetts secretary of transportation, issued a response to some of Capuano's thoughts. In the following op-ed piece, the congressman explains his position and outlines a proposal that he says would bring rail service to 80,000 Somerville residents within three years: Every thoughtful observer recognizes that Massachusetts is facing serious budget challenges. The state’s transportation needs are not exempt from that challenge. The Green Line Extension (GLX) is a $1 billion project, and while …

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Davey: State is Committed to Green Line Extension

"This is an important project and one the state is committed to.” – Richard Davey, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, on the Green Line Extension.

Despite Congressman Michael Capuano's somewhat gloomy portrayal of the Green Line extension's funding realities, the Department of Transportation is sticking with its current approach, according to Transportation Secretary Richard Davey. "This is an important project and one the state is committed to," Davey said in a written statement Monday. "We are moving forward with Phase 1 and look forward to continuing to work with the Congressman and the community.” Capuano told the Somerville Board of Aldermen last week that the state doesn't have the $1 billion needed to fund the entire project and said Somerville should support a more affordable short-term alternative with fewer stops. Capuano said if the community holds out for an all-or-…

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Capuano Paints Grim Picture of Green Line Funding

The congressman wants Somerville to get behind a "short-term" plan and said, "We should strike while the governor is in office."

  Rep. Michael Capuano attended the Somerville Board of Aldermen meeting Thursday night and painted a bleak picture when it comes to funding the Green Line extension into Cambridge, Somerville and Medford. "The state has not submitted … a plan on how to fund the Green Line. They haven't submitted it because they don't have the money. People have to wake up to that fact," the congressman said. "We've got to get realistic about this," he said, arguing that the city should push for a "short-term" solution to increasing rail access for residents.  That solution would involve extending the Green Line to the planned Washington Street station and Union Square station and then building Commuter Rail stops in other parts of Somerville. Many …

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Anne

12:05 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Thank you, Dominick, for saying all the things I was saying, and so well. And A's following comment, too! As someone who lives just outbound of Gilman Square, the last thing I want to see is poor (i.e. infrequent) service that severely impacts air quality in the most damaging way possible (fine particulates) for me and a large percent of the people in Somerville.   more ›

Speaking in Neighboring Medford, Capuano Talks Redistricting, Supercommittee

“It is mean, it is messy and it’s a lousy process, but it’s better than sitting on the sidelines and just complaining.” – Michael Capuano, talking about the political process.

Congressman Michael Capuano, a Democract who represents Massachusetts' 8th District, spoke to Medford business people Wednesday afternoon at luncheon at Lawrence Memorial Hospital hosted by the Medford Chamber of Commerce. Here's some excerpts from what he had to say: On the Deficit Reduction "Supercommittee": “I have thought from day one that they will not achieve what they said they would achieve, especially when I saw who they put on there,” Capuano said. "There are two people on the Republican side, and I like them, but they are zealots." Capuano said he was referring to Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylania, and Rep. Jed Hensarling, R-Texas. “They are not there to make a deal," Capuano said. "They are there to make sure no deal happens.” On …

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Capuano Not Running For Senate

U.S. Congressman Michael Capuano said he would not run for senate in 2012, according to a statement issued Friday morning.

After months of speculation that he might run, Rep. Michael Capuano issued a statement Friday morning saying he would not seek the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Scott Brown. Here is Capuano's statement: After serious personal reflection, I have decided not to seek the United States Senate seat for Massachusetts at this time. There are several good candidates currently in the race and I am fully satisfied that any nominee from this group will represent Massachusetts effectively in the Senate. Thanks to everyone who has encouraged me to seek the Senate seat. I very much appreciate your support and your insight. I look forward to seeking re-election to the House in 2012.

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