Image from Google Street View

by Marty Lorrey

I look forward to contributing occasional columns on InsideLowell, and hopefully you will enjoy them. Please feel free to add any comments or concerns in the replies.

I recently became aware of a piece of legislation making its way through the legislative process in the Statehouse. On January 29 2026 the Lowell Sun wrote about it on their editorial page.

It’s  been called An act to increase opportunity by ending debt based driving restrictions.

The legislation seeks to abolish the suspension and revocation of drivers licenses and vehicle registrations  as penalties for non payment of excise taxes and state taxes, and to my understanding, parking tickets.

Seems great until you realize what it can possibly do the budget in the cities and towns.

I believe the City of Lowell collects an estimated $11,000,000 in excise taxes and $819,545 in parking tickets. (Lowell 2026 budget) The problem is; how do the municipalities cover the cost for those who wish to skip payments?

Obviously not everyone will skip the payments, but for those who do, there is no penalty.

Presently I believe the state can withhold a license as a penalty for those in arrears. The state will continue to hold those accountable for public safety violations.

The bill was filed by State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Cape Cod). I believe was reported favorably out of the Joint Transportation Committee and refereed to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

What will the final outcome? What changes will be made?

As I have read previous stories and editorial piece in the Sun, I have my own concerns moving forward on the impact to municipalities.