How I Voted: BRIGHT Act

Modernizing Public Higher Education Infrastructure Through the BRIGHT Act

Bill: BRIGHT Act (Higher Education Bond Bill)

Date of Vote: November 18, 2025

What Problem Was This Bill Trying to Solve?

Many public colleges and universities across Massachusetts face significant deferred maintenance needs, aging facilities, and infrastructure challenges that can affect student learning, research, workforce training, and campus operations.

At the same time, the Commonwealth relies on its public higher education system to prepare students for careers, support research and innovation, and strengthen economic competitiveness. Modern facilities are essential for providing students with high-quality educational opportunities and ensuring that campuses can meet future workforce and climate goals.

This legislation provides a long-term investment strategy to modernize public higher education infrastructure, address maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency, and support the future growth of Massachusetts’ colleges and universities.

What Does the Bill Do?

• Authorizes approximately $3.65 billion in capital investments for public higher education facilities across Massachusetts.

• Provides funding for:

  • Deferred maintenance projects.

  • Campus modernization and facility upgrades.

  • Decarbonization and energy-efficiency improvements.

  • Laboratory modernization.

  • Student health and wellness facilities.

  • Campus master planning.

• Allocates funding across public higher education institutions, including:

  • The University of Massachusetts system.

  • State universities.

  • Community colleges.

  • Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

• Creates grant programs to support:

  • Campus improvements and climate-related upgrades.

  • Technology investments that support remote and hybrid learning.

  • Career and technical education and workforce training programs.

• Expands the role of the Massachusetts State College Building Authority to improve project delivery and campus infrastructure management.

• Allows proceeds from the sale of surplus campus property to be reinvested in higher education capital improvements.

• Establishes annual reporting requirements to provide transparency and accountability regarding project costs, progress, maintenance improvements, and emissions reductions.

• Supports approximately 20,000 construction-related jobs through campus improvement projects across the Commonwealth.

How I Voted

I voted YES.

Why I Voted This Way

Public higher education plays a critical role in preparing students for successful careers, supporting research and innovation, and strengthening Massachusetts’ economy. Our colleges and universities should have facilities that reflect the quality of education and workforce training they provide.

Many campuses face significant infrastructure needs that have accumulated over time. Addressing those challenges now helps avoid higher costs in the future while creating modern learning environments that better serve students, faculty, and communities.

This legislation also supports workforce development, energy efficiency, and long-term economic growth. By investing in campus improvements and modernization projects, the Commonwealth can strengthen its public higher education system while creating construction jobs and supporting future generations of students.

I supported this legislation because it invests in students, strengthens public higher education, addresses long-term infrastructure needs, and helps ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in education, research, and economic opportunity.