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The following was submitted by the Office of Rep. Michael Day:
Reps. Michael Day and Michelle Ciccolo and Sens. Jason Lewis and Pat Jehlen joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature to pass a $1.4 billion supplemental budget using surplus Fair Share Amendment revenue to continue investing in public education and transportation projects across the Commonwealth.
In addition to providing statewide funding for programs and infrastructure work, the supplemental budget also includes direct funding to Winchester.
The Winchester legislative delegation were unified in supporting Day’s amendment to include $125,000 in funding to the Town of Winchester for drainage improvements, resulting in inclusion of the earmark in the final bill.
“Securing this funding to help Winchester’s work in making drainage improvements is important if we are going to mitigate damages from increased flooding,” said Day. “The additional funding we devote in this bill to our schools and transit system is equally as important as we face wild unpredictability from the federal government, and I was proud to stand with our delegation in supporting this bill.”
Massachusetts voters approved the Fair Share Amendment in 2022, adding a four percent income tax on annual household earnings over one million dollars. This surtax has raised billions of dollars, exceeding projections. Funds must be used for public education and transportation.
Over the past few years, the Legislature has used Fair Share revenue to reduce the cost of public higher education, including making community college free for all students; expand access to high-quality, affordable early education; repair roads and bridges; improve MBTA services and provide universal free school meals for all K–12 students.
The fiscal year 2025 (FY25) state budget already committed $1.3 billion in Fair Share revenue. Because collections exceeded expectations, lawmakers passed this supplemental budget to invest an additional $1.4 billion in education and transportation. These new investments will support MBTA upgrades, increase K–12 special education funding and provide additional aid to cities and towns for local infrastructure, among other priorities.
“I’m proud to have led the Fair Share Amendment in the Senate,” said Lewis. “With this revenue from the state’s highest earners, we can make critical investments in the public schools and transportation systems that help make Massachusetts a great place to live and raise a family. These Fair Share dollars are especially vital now, as many school districts and municipalities face serious fiscal challenges.”
“I am so glad to see the Fair Share Amendment has worked as it was intended,” said Jehlen. “This revenue has allowed us to keep making progress toward essential improvements in public education and our public transit system.”
“I was thrilled to join my colleagues in supporting this critical funding that helps the Commonwealth deliver on its commitment to excellence in education, and a safe, efficient, and accessible transportation system,” said Ciccolo. The Fair Share dollars in action are proving to be a vital source of funding, especially in these times of shrinking Federal financial investment.”
Highlights of the Fair Share supplemental budget include:
- $535 million for the MBTA, including $20 million for a low-income fare relief program
- $248 million for K–12 special education costs, including circuit breaker reimbursements
- $103 million for local transportation projects — roads, bridges, and culverts
- $100 million in capital grants for career technical education programs
- $115 million to address deferred maintenance at public higher education facilities, including $10 million for community college lab resources
- $45 million to support early education and childcare workforce and quality improvements
- $25 million for early literacy programs targeting students in Kindergarten-grade 3
- $10 million to reduce the waitlist for English-Language Learning programs
- $10 million for Green Schoolworks grants to improve school clean energy infrastructure
- $10 million to support the new Boston Holocaust Museum
- $2.5 million for the Tomorrow’s Teachers Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships and loan forgiveness to high school and college students pursuing careers in public education
The House and Senate passed the bill, which now awaits Gov. Maura Healey’s signature.
