5 Things: MBTA Cuts or Gas Tax Hike?; Weekend Snow; Green Line Meeting

Good morning, here are five things to know today:

While the , the state legislature is likely to come up with its own. The MBTA Caucus of the state's legislature - state representatives whose communities are served by the MBTA - met Tuesday, and are actively meeting to develop their own plan as alternative to the transit authority's offerings, State Rep. Carl Sciortino said Wednesday. "I believe the legislature has a responsibility to look at this and address this," Sciortino said. Local political leaders are critical of proposals offered by the MBTA to resolve its funding crisis, and some believe there is a clear alternative - revisiting the commonwealth's gas tax.

2. Snow Likely This Weekend: It's expected to be sunny with highs in the mid-30s today, according to the National Weather Service. There's a 90 percent chance of snow Saturday and a 20 percent chance Sunday, highs in the 30s.

3. Malden Families Struggle After Fires: on Boylston St. in Malden the past four months have left a number of families homeless and struggling to rebuild. “I don't even know how to rebuild...I'm really so numb I can't function at this point...," said Boylston Street resident Colleen Onorato. "I have the help and support of so many people, so there are definitely reasons to be happy. It just doesn't diminish the fact that the tragedy happened.” Malden Mayor Gary Christensonasking the public to help provide emergency placement or other donations for the struggling families. Property owners who can help are urged to contact Chris Webb, Board of Health Director at BOH@cityofmalden.org, or call 781-397-7053.

The MBTA will be hosting a meeting at Somerville High School at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 to discuss several of the upcoming projects related to the Green Line Extension. Among them: Work on the Harvard Street bridge in Medford.

The Medford Family Network will be holding a free swap day tomorrow at Medford High School. You can drop off anything to donate at the MFN center at the high school between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. today, and pick up anything your family might need on Saturday between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.