Longmeadow Senator Eric Lesser is pitching his bill to allow communities to band together to raise finds for regional transportation projects.
Ballot initiatives would empower regions like the Pioneer Valley to supplement state and federal transportation funding with local revenues.
Lesser says in western Massachusetts, communities wouldn't have to wait for Beacon Hill to approve east-west commuter rail service or release funds to make it happen.
He says area cities and towns could start raising the funds and laying the groundwork.
The Senator is part of a Task Force deciding whether high speed rail is workable between Springfield and Boston.