Governor Healey Signs $1.3 Billion Supplemental Budget to Make Major Investments in Transportation, Education

 Governor Healey Signs $1.3 Billion Supplemental Budget to Make Major Investments in Transportation, Education 

New transportation investments mark significant down payment on Governor’s $8 billion transportation financing plan, stabilize finances of the MBTA 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey signed a supplemental budget to invest $1.32 billion in surplus Fair Share revenue from Fiscal Year 2024 into education and transportation. This funding marks a major down payment in Governor Healey’s $8 billion plan to upgrade roads, bridges and public transportation across the state, stabilizes the finances of the MBTA, and helps make up the learning losses students suffered due to the pandemic by expanding proven programs like high-dosage tutoring. 

Overall, the bill uses $758.8 million in one-time funding to support transportation infrastructure needs across the state. Another $561.4 million will be dedicated to the state’s early education, K-12, and higher education systems. The funding comes from the $2.46 billion in surtax revenue collected in Fiscal Year 2024, of which $1 billion was appropriated in the FY24 budget. 

“I proposed this bill to address two of the most critical needs we have as a state – transportation and education. For decades, our transportation system has been underinvested in, and Massachusetts residents and businesses have been paying the price. We’re delivering an historic infusion of funding to upgrade roads and bridges and finally stabilize the finances at the T,” said Governor Healey. “We’re also expanding access to the programs that have been proven to support students and help them recover from the learning losses they suffered due to the pandemic, like tutoring and career and technical education. We’re grateful to the Legislature for their continued partnership as we put these dollars to the best use for our people and our economy.” 

“As the school year comes to a close, educators and families can head into summer break knowing that significant funding is coming their way that delivers the support they need for special education, child care and tutoring,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “At the same time, we’re ushering in a new era of modern, reliable transportation across Massachusetts. We look forward to continuing to build on the progress we’ve been making on transportation and education across the state.” 

“Ensuring that every Massachusetts resident has access to a safe and reliable public transportation system, and that every student in the Commonwealth receives a high-quality education, are two of the most fundamental responsibilities that we have as elected officials. The investments being made in this supplemental budget are representative of the Commonwealth’s continued focus on meeting those responsibilities,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for filing this legislation, as well as Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House, along with our partners in the Senate, for prioritizing the critical funding that this supplemental budget allocates. The House looks forward to building on these investments, and to continuing to deliver improvements to the Commonwealth's most fundamental institutions and services." 

“No matter where you live in Massachusetts, you deserve reliable transportation and an education that opens doors to opportunities,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This funding moves us closer to a Commonwealth where everyone has access to both. At a time when the federal government’s commitment to safe transit and strong public education is in doubt, this legislation makes direct investments in local communities, our school systems, and the infrastructure projects that keep Massachusetts moving forward. I’m grateful to Governor Healey for signing this critical legislation, my colleagues in the Senate for their support, and our partners in the House. I look forward to seeing the impact of these investments in communities across the state.” 

The bill signed by the Governor puts a total of $548 million toward the MBTA, helping to rebuild operating reserves, support low-income fare discounts and invest in infrastructure and water transit. New funding will also go to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to support micro transit, small bridges and culvert maintenance. Another $80 million will be used to supplement local Chapter 90 road funding and $50 million will go to Regional Transit Authorities. 

In education, $190 million will be used to support local school districts with the rising cost of providing special education, as well as providing $58 million of additional support to fully fund the special education circuit breaker this fiscal year. It also includes $100 million to expand Career Technical Education program seats at comprehensive high schools and dedicated career technical high schools. The budget puts $25.6 million into early literacy high-dosage tutoring, a proven and effective tool to help students read and close achievement gaps and dedicates $115 million toward needed capital improvements at higher education campuses. Further, it includes $10 million to reduce the ESOL waitlist and $45 million for early education and care capacity building.  

“From helping to stabilize the MBTA to investing in our backlog of higher education capital needs, this budget fulfills our goal of using surtax resources to make transformative investments that will improve our transportation system, support local government and address areas of need that for too long have lack the necessary resources. I appreciate the support of our partners in the Legislature and look forward to continuing to work with them to find ways to maximize surtax dollars and,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. 

“Thanks to Fair Share revenue, we are better positioned to give communities the connectivity they need and deserve – and to support economic growth and improve quality of life across Massachusetts,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “From culvert upgrades to fare free bus service and everything in-between, with Fair Share funds and the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we are launching the projects that will help make our transportation network safer, and more reliable, accessible, and resilient for generations to come”. 

“I want to thank the Legislature for their continued partnership in helping early education and care programs, schools and campuses address some of the most pressing equity gaps in education and support the capital needs of our public institutions. In Massachusetts, we are investing Fair Share dollars create the foundations for students to realize their dreams – from affordable child care, learning to read and building innovative, high-quality classrooms for the workforce of today and tomorrow,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

“This is an investment that serves all as education and transportation are essential to improving quality of life and connecting communities,” said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “The future is bright, not just for the MBTA but for the people who rely on us every day. From students commuting to class to seniors accessing medical care to workers getting to their jobs on time, this funding helps us deliver more frequent, reliable, and accessible service. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, and the Legislature for their leadership and commitment to strengthening public transportation for people from all walks of life across every corner of the Commonwealth. The MBTA is both excited and grateful to be part of this moment and is here to serve.”