BCAT News

State Representative Ken Gordon, of the 21st Middlesex District, has announced via press release that the House of Representatives has passed a $1.3 billion supplemental budget that consists of surplus funds generated from the Fair Share surtax.

This supplemental budget includes $353 million for education related investments, and $828 million for transportation related investments.

“I am grateful that the House recognized the need for this funding to ensure the safety of our residents”, said Representative Gordon. “I will continue to advocate
for our district as we approach Budget season in the House of Representatives.”

The Supplemental Budget includes $58 million in funding to reimburse municipalities for out-of-district transportation costs for special needs students, known as the circuit breaker protection. The supplemental budget includes revenues generated from the Fair Share ballot initiative voters approved in November 2022, which established a new surtax of four percent on annual income above $1 million and invests these new public dollars to improve the state’s education and transportation sectors.

Key investments include…

Education
-$190 million for Circuit Breaker reimbursements, which provide financial assistance to
public school districts to offset the cost of delivering high-cost special education services
to students, including $53 million for families.
-$40 million for early education and care (EEC) workforce, affordability, and quality
improvement supports

Transportation
-$400 million for MBTA Workforce and Safety Reserve
-$300 million for MBTA Deficiency Fund
-$60 million for MBTA physical infrastructure
Additional Investments
-$58 million from the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) Investment Fund for payment of
additional reimbursements in FY25
-$5 million for the Holocaust Museum Boston

This supplemental budget also tasks the Inspector General with publishing a report on best practices for providing transportation services, including the procurement of those services, to help contain ever-increasing costs to cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth.

The bill passed the House of Representatives 140-14. It now goes to the Senate for its consideration.