How I Voted: Fair Share Supplemental Budget

Investing in Public Transportation and Education Across Massachusetts

Bill: Fair Share Supplemental Budget

Date of Vote: June 18, 2025

What Problem Was This Bill Trying to Solve?

Massachusetts continues to face significant needs in both public transportation and public education. Aging transportation infrastructure, transit reliability challenges, local road and bridge maintenance needs, and workforce shortages have created demands for additional transportation investments across the Commonwealth.

At the same time, schools, colleges, and educational programs face growing costs associated with special education services, career and technical education expansion, literacy initiatives, early childhood education, and higher education infrastructure improvements.

This legislation uses surplus revenue generated by the Fair Share surtax on annual incomes above $1 million to make one-time investments in transportation and education projects that improve public services, strengthen local communities, and support long-term economic growth.

What Does the Bill Do?

• Invests approximately $1.39 billion in transportation and education initiatives across Massachusetts.

• Provides approximately $716 million for transportation investments and $593.5 million for education investments.

Transportation Investments

• Provides $535 million for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) improvements, including:

  • $300 million for the MBTA budget reserve.

  • $175 million for workforce and safety improvements.

  • $40 million for infrastructure upgrades.

  • $20 million for the low-income fare relief program.

• Provides $103 million for local transportation infrastructure projects, including:

  • $80 million in supplemental Chapter 90 funding for municipal roads and bridges.

  • $16.4 million for municipally owned small bridges and culverts.

  • $7 million for unpaved road improvements.

• Provides $73 million for regional transportation initiatives, including:

  • $25 million for Regional Transit Authority capital improvements.

  • $25 million for Regional Transit Authority workforce recruitment and retention.

  • $13 million for ferry infrastructure improvements.

  • $10 million for micro-transit and last-mile transportation programs.

• Provides $5 million for transportation improvements associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Education Investments

• Provides $248 million for special education costs, including Circuit Breaker reimbursements for local school districts.

• Provides $115 million for public higher education deferred maintenance and infrastructure improvements.

• Provides $100 million to expand career and technical education capacity, including funding for vocational education expansion projects.

• Provides $45 million to support workforce development, affordability, and quality improvements in early education and care programs.

• Provides $25 million for high-dosage tutoring programs focused on improving literacy outcomes for students in kindergarten through third grade.

• Provides $20 million for higher education endowment matching programs.

• Provides $10 million for English language learning programs.

• Provides $10 million for the Holocaust Museum Boston.

• Provides $10 million for Green SchoolWorks grants supporting clean energy improvements in schools.

• Provides $8.1 million for regional school transportation costs.

• Provides $2.475 million for teacher scholarship and loan forgiveness programs designed to encourage careers in public education.

How I Voted

I voted YES.

Why I Voted This Way

Investments in transportation and education are investments in the long-term success of the Commonwealth. Reliable public transportation supports economic growth, reduces congestion, improves mobility, and connects residents to jobs, schools, and essential services.

Likewise, strong educational systems create opportunities for students, strengthen communities, and help prepare the workforce needed for Massachusetts’ future economy. This legislation supports students at every stage of their educational journey, from early childhood education through higher education and workforce training.

Because these investments are funded through surplus Fair Share revenues dedicated to education and transportation purposes, this bill provides an opportunity to address important infrastructure and educational needs without creating new financial burdens on residents.

I supported this legislation because it delivers meaningful investments in transportation, strengthens educational opportunities, supports local communities, and helps ensure that Massachusetts remains competitive, connected, and prepared for future growth.