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Opponents Come Out Against Possible Reversal Of Alcohol Ad Ban On MBTA

The wife of a former governor is joining Boston's mayor to condemn the idea of bringing alcohol advertising back to the MBTA.

T Chief Administrator Brian Shortsleeve on Monday floated the idea of lifting a 2012 alcohol advertising ban — part of a larger advertising revamp that could raise millions for the T.

Kitty Dukakis, the wife of former Gov. Michael Dukakis, says such ads put many at risk.

"We're feeding a lot of kids alcoholism," she said. "And I am very angry about this and I'm not going to stop until the T learns its lesson."

Kitty Dukakis has written about her own battle with alcoholism and pushed for the ad ban in 2012.

In a statement to Boston.com, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's office said he also disapproves of reversing the T's ban on alcohol ads, even though bus shelters owned by the city of Boston sometimes display alcohol ads.

Facing a potential $242 million structural deficit next year, the T is looking at several ways to increase revenues — including an effort to double its ad revenue in the next few years.

A spokesman for the transit agency says officials will consider new advertising strategies over the next few weeks.

With reporting by WBUR's Fred Bever

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