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News Briefs: Bump sworn in for third term; public comment sought for draft bike plan

The goal is to have a plan that presents an action-oriented strategy that will lead to increased use of trails for short trips made by bicycling.

Suzanne M. Bump sworn in for third term as state auditor

Boston — Suzanne M. Bump was sworn in Wednesday for her third term as state auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. First elected in 2010, Bump is the 25th state auditor and the first woman to hold the position. Former Rep. Byron Rushing administered the oath of office in the chapel of the African Meeting House.

Since taking office in 2011, Bump has aimed to make government work better for every resident of the Commonwealth. Over the past eight years, through audits, reports and investigations, her office has identified more than $1.3 billion in savings, inefficiencies, misspending and fraud.

In her inaugural remarks, Bump highlighted the importance of accountability in building public trust in government, challenging state agencies to break down the silos that prevent them from adequately serving the residents of the Commonwealth, and developing new solutions to lingering challenges.

“The imperative that our work advance the interests of the Commonwealth means that we identify not just improper payments, waste, and fraud in state government, but also that we address the root causes of system failures, identify barriers of access to state services, and assist agency efforts to meet the needs of their constituencies effectively and efficiently,” said Bump.

At the ceremony, Sen. Walter Timilty, D-Milton, read a proclamation certifying the 2018 election results, and singer Tamika Jacques offered solo performances of “America the Beautiful” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

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MassDOT urges public comment on Draft State Bicycle Transportation Plan

Boston — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation urges members of the public to comment on the Draft Massachusetts Bicycle Transportation Plan through Thursday, Jan. 31.

The draft plan defines a vision for Massachusetts in which all people have a safe and comfortable cycling option for short trips. The goal is to have a plan that presents an action-oriented strategy that will lead to increased use of trails for short trips made by bicycling. Travel on designated bike and pedestrian thoroughfares will also lead to safer conditions, helping to prevent injuries and fatalities.

In addition to the plan, a companion document called the Municipal Resource Guide for Bikeability was created in recognition of the important role local cities and towns play. The purpose of the guide is to support cities and towns in their efforts to improve bikeability as the vast majority of roadways and shared use paths statewide are under local ownership. A draft guide was released in November of 2018 and an updated version will be published with the final bicycle plan early next year.

The Massachusetts Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board served as the steering committee for the plan. Over the last two years, the bicycle plan and Municipal Resource Guide for Bikeability were informed by public feedback and data analysis.

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