State Budget News

MTA celebrates Fair Share impact on state budget, pushes back on governor's cut to scholarship and educator loan forgiveness

Healey signs Fy25 budget

The state budget that emerged from the Legislature on July 18 and was signed by Governor Maura Healey on July 29 includes many significant investments in public education, a tremendous benefit for the students and families of Massachusetts. It is a testament to the significance of the Fair Share Amendment and educators’ advocacy for more equitable state funding for public schools.

Thanks to the Fair Share Amendment that raises money for public education and transportation througha  surtax on the wealthiest people in the state — those with annual incomes above $1 million — every Massachusetts resident can attend community college knowing that their tuition and mandatory fees are covered. Working class students will get additional funds that will help them afford some of the additional costs of attending college.

The vast majority of the MTA’s budget victories were signed into law by the governor. However, the governor vetoed approximately $317 million in total spending from sixty line items and proposed amendments to three outside policy sections. Unfortunately, among the governor’s proposed spending reductions is a $7.5 million cut to the line item that funds the MTA-backed the Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship and educator loan forgiveness programs. These initiatives are key to helping the Commonwealth achieve our goal of diversifying and strengthening the educator pipeline and it is vital that they be adequately funded. The administration has identified alternative funding sources that they intend to use to fill that hole, but the MTA nevertheless urged the House and Senate to reject the governor’s spending cut and restore the full $7.5 million. While the House voted to override the governor’s cut, the Senate did not take up any override votes prior to the end of the formal legislative session, meaning that the governor’s cut stands.

 

Education spending reflects MTA advocacy

Senate, House send FY25 budget to governor

The state budget that emerged on July 18 from the State House includes many significant investments in public education, a tremendous benefit for the students and families of Massachusetts and a testament to the significance of the Fair Share Amendment and educators’ advocacy for more equitable state funding for public schools.

Thanks to the Fair Share Amendment that raises money for public education and transportation through a surtax on the wealthiest people in the state — those with annual incomes above $1 million — every Massachusetts resident can attend community college knowing that their tuition and mandatory fees are covered. Working class students will get additional funds that will help them afford some of the additional costs of attending college.

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FY25 State Budget Process

FY 25 Senate Budget

An overview of the FY25 Senate Ways and Means budget

The SWM budget includes several significant higher education initiatives, all made possible by our Fair Share victory.

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FY 25 House Budget

MTA statement on House Ways and Means budget

Proposed budget is $37M over governor's budget, includes educator scholarships, loan forgiveness

Across the Commonwealth, school districts are facing a severe funding crisis due to two years of very high inflation coupled with state policies that limit state and local revenue for education. This is leading to districts across the socioeconomic spectrum facing millions of dollars in cuts, and resulting in the potential loss of educators who are essential for our students. In public higher education, the budget maintains and makes some new commitments from the Fair Share Amendment funds, but does not advance a comprehensive approach to investing in debt-free, high-quality public higher education.

The House Committee on Ways and Means budget shows an understanding of this crisis. The committee proposes an additional $37 million in local education aid above the amount proposed by Governor Maura Healey. It also makes important long-term investments in attracting and retaining a high-quality and diverse educator workforce by funding the Tomorrow’s Teachers scholarship and loan forgiveness programs, so that people who want to dedicate their careers to educating Massachusetts students don’t need to go deeply into debt to be able to do so.

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FY25 Governor's Budget