Healey-Driscoll Administration Promotes New and Expanded Veterans Workforce Initiatives

Healey-Driscoll Administration Promotes New and Expanded Veterans Workforce Initiatives  

 

Administration also launches equity workforce data dashboard for veterans 

 

BOSTON — Ahead of National Veteran and Military Families Month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today promoted new and expanded workforce initiatives for veterans, including the recently enhanced Veteran Hire Tax Credit (VHTC). The administration also launched the Veteran’s Equity Dashboard, which offers an interactive dashboard of data visualizations, as well as written analysis and key takeaways that explore topics including demographics, occupations and industries, unemployment, wages, and more specific to veterans in Massachusetts’ labor market.   

 

Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones and Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago made the announcements at an event at the State House.  

 

“We’re proud to be expanding opportunities for veterans in the workforce with the launch of the Veteran’s Equity Dashboard and the increase of the Veteran Hire Tax Credit,” said Governor Maura Healey. “From day one, our administration has been committed to revitalizing veterans services in Massachusetts and making sure our heroes have the support and resources they deserve. We know that access to employment can be a major challenge for veterans, and I’m grateful for the strong leadership of Secretary Santiago, Secretary Jones and the Legislature to lower barriers by expanding these workforce initiatives." 

 

“Massachusetts leads the nation in veterans services and the recently signed Hero Act builds on that work. This administration is committed to connecting our talented veterans with companies looking to hire, and today’s event highlights the tools we have at our disposal to make that happen,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “The Veteran’s Equity Dashboard will allow us to identify and address barriers to employment and help ensure that our veterans receive the services they deserve.”  

 

Among expanded workforce initiatives for veterans is the Veteran Hire Tax Credit, a $2,500 tax break awarded to small business owners who hire qualified veterans, including those receiving SNAP benefits, chronically unemployed veterans, and unemployed service-connected disabled veterans. The tax credit, originally passed in 2017, was increased by the Healey-Driscoll administration’s HERO Act, the most comprehensive piece of veteran’s legislation in Massachusetts history. 

 

Chronically unemployed veterans are historically difficult to hire and retain, particularly for small businesses (less than 100 employees). The tax credit aims to increase the likelihood of hiring more chronically unemployed veterans while supporting small businesses.  

 

“The Veteran Hire Tax Credit is a vital tool in helping our veterans transition into meaningful employment while supporting small businesses across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago. By increasing the tax credit through the HERO Act, we’re creating more opportunities for chronically unemployed veterans, including those with service-connected disabilities, to secure jobs and build brighter futures. This initiative not only strengthens our workforce but also provides small businesses with the resources they need to bring on talented veterans who have served our country. It’s a win-win for our veterans and for Massachusetts’ economy.” 

 

As another workforce initiative highlighted today, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Department of Economic Research (DER) launched the Veterans Equity Dashboard. Building on DER’s workforce equity dashboard project, which aggregates Massachusetts-centric employment statistics across diverse demographic, racial, ethnic, and other identifiers. In addition to offering a snapshot of workforce outcomes among various demographic groups, now including veterans, DER’s workforce equity dashboard project also illuminates persistent workforce disparities and needs while also underscoring substantial contributions and diverse talents of Massachusetts' communities. 

 

"We know that veterans may face barriers to employment, which is why our administration is committed to prepare and connect veterans to career training programs and employment opportunities in Massachusetts," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “By working collaborative across secretariats and with community and workforce partners, our new equity dashboard will also inform strategies to advance the skills and knowledge of our veterans as we build connections to industry and employers in need of talent.” 

 

DER consulted with several agencies and groups to develop the framework for the Veterans Equity Dashboard project, including the Executive Office of Veteran Services, the Office of the Veteran’s Advocate, and MassHire Veteran’s Employment Representatives. Their input was crucial to ensuring the research and analysis considered the lived experiences of veterans and included topics relevant to improving labor market outcomes for veterans.   

 

Secretary Jones and Secretary Santiago attracted many partners at the State House today to promote these workforce initiatives for veterans. Additional services for veterans were also promoted including the resources by the MassHire Department of Career Services (DCS), which supports veterans and transitioning service members by providing employment resources and expertise to veterans to prepare them for the next phase of their career, and to the businesses that hire them. The administration also leverages US Department of Labor funding for the Jobs for Veteran State Grant Program (JVSG), administered by MassHire DCS staff, to provide individualized career and training-related services to eligible veterans and eligible persons with barriers to employment, as well as other authorized populations, and help employers fill their workforce needs with job-seeking veterans. Specifically, “Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program” (DVOP) and “Local Veterans’ Employment Representative” (LVER) staff assist veterans and provide intensive Veterans services to overcome or mitigate barriers and assist veterans to become “job ready.” LVERs work with employers and DVOPs to place job ready veterans into employment.  

New Solar Programs to Provide $300 Million a Year in Savings and Benefits for Massachusetts

New Solar Programs to Provide $300 Million a Year in Savings and Benefits for Massachusetts  

Healey-Driscoll Administration’s new solar policies will jumpstart solar growth, get charges off bills and lower wholesale electricity costs 

BOSTON -- The Healey-Driscoll Administration is advancing a bold series of solar programs to lower costs and bring more energy into Massachusetts. This effort includes new regulations to accelerate solar development while also removing or significantly reducing solar-related charges on customer electricity bills. 

“Solar is one of the fastest and cheapest forms of energy we can bring into Massachusetts right now,” said Governor Maura Healey. “ I want us moving as fast as states like Florida and Texas on this because it will increase reliability and bring down the cost of electricity. Our administration is moving quickly to reduce costs – that's why we released our Energy Affordability Agenda and filed legislation to get charges off bills and support the growth of new energy.” 

“Massachusetts energy jobs are on the line as we work to get more solar into Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Thousands of Massachusetts workers support our energy infrastructure and help us keep the lights on. Getting more solar into the state will help us strengthen our local workforce and keep our investments circulating in our state, rather than elsewhere.” 

“Solar plays a critical role in the reliability of our energy grid, and we need to double down on solar programs that are working,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “On the hottest days of the year, it’s solar that helps keep the lights on and costs down. That’s because Massachusetts has prioritized getting solar on roofs and lowering customer bills. As the federal government stalls more energy projects than it advances, our administration is looking for ways to get more energy into our state and protect our grid from reckless energy policies.” 

“While Massachusetts historically led in solar growth, we’re starting to fall behind other states,” said Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “As Texas and Florida take leadership positions in deploying new solar capacity, Massachusetts is moving quickly to modernize the SMART program and get solar built here.” 

New SMART Regulations 

The SMART regulations will create a sustainable incentive program that advances solar energy in Massachusetts while being able to quickly respond to changing market conditions. The regulations simplify the solar incentive program by providing a flat incentive rate for residential customers and enhanced incentive offerings for low-income households. The regulations implement strong consumer protection provisions to ensure best practices by solar installers resulting in customers receiving fair contracts and meaningful savings.  

The program also takes an innovative approach to land use policy by establishing a mitigation fund that will collect dollars from large solar installations and use those funds to invest in conservation, biodiversity, and other programs targeted at protecting Massachusetts’ natural landscapes to offset the impacts of solar infrastructure. Additionally, the program provides added incentives for canopy projects and those installed on landfills and brownfields prioritizing projects in the built environment.  

This SMART program deploys a mechanism to respond to market change annually through robust economic analysis. This will allow DOER to adjust certain program components in response to project development, economic drivers, and overall program costs. 

Getting Charges Off Bills 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is boosting solar growth while lowering overall costs. Governor Healey’s Energy Affordability Agenda will help reduce charges on customer bills, which will be further lowered by the phase out of the Solar Carve Out I and Solar Carve Out II Programs. Ratepayers may see as much as $15-20 of costs eliminated from their bills each month by 2027 as a result of these programs coming to a close, which amounts to nearly $1.5 billion in total savings over the next 5 years. Her Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act will also reduce the value of net metering credits for new large net metering facilities will lead to a lower net metering surcharge, saving customers an estimated $380 million over 10 years. Currently, Massachusetts has the highest net metering compensation rates for large, standalone facilities in the country. 

At the same time, the legislation will require solar projects participating in net metering to utilize the SMART program, which implements cost controls to ensure projects receive a tailored incentive to be economic, but nothing further. This will help drive down overall ratepayer costs under the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.  

Massachusetts Needs More Power from Solar 

Solar deployment to date has transformed the way that the New England electric grid operates, helping to keep the lights on and lowering prices. With solar, we do not need to build as much transmission and distribution infrastructure, saving hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars that ratepayers would otherwise pay to maintain reliability. During the summer, solar helps reduce peak demand and lower energy costs and grid investment needs. During the winter, solar production helps avoid the use of scarce fossil fuel resources by other electric generators, improving reliability and lowering energy prices for all customers. And during the spring and fall, solar can provide a significant portion of the region’s energy needs and reduce the wholesale costs of energy for everyone. For example, during the afternoon of April 20, 2025, over 55% of the electricity demand on the New England electric grid was met by distributed solar facilities. Demand on the electric grid that afternoon reached an all-time low. 

Massachusetts has fallen behind other states – like Florida and Louisiana – in solar deployment and 374 MW of pending projects are stuck. For years, Massachusetts ranked in the top 5 states for solar installations but fell to 26^th in the number of megawatts of solar installed in 2024. Interconnection and permitting challenges have played a large role in this decline, however, inadequate compensation frameworks and uncertainty around revenue streams have also contributed to the slowdowns.  To address these challenges, the Healey-Driscoll Administration brokered a historic compromise to speed up siting and permitting timelines and proposed reforms to the interconnection process in the Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act. Further reforms to the SMART program will unlock languishing projects and create more solar jobs. While Massachusetts has seen increases in solar jobs each of the last three years, there are still 10% less solar jobs than there were in 2018. The reforms to the SMART Program will help create new jobs and restore employment levels to pre-pandemic levels. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches 2025 Park Passport Challenge for Children and Families at Parks Across Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches 2025 Park Passport Challenge for Children and Families at Parks Across Massachusetts 

The Challenge Aims to Bring a New Generation of Visitors into Park System and Will Run from June 21 to November 30 at 12 DCR Parks and Watersheds Across the State

 

 

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced the launch of the 2025 Park Passport Challenge, an initiative aimed at bringing a new generation of outdoor explorers into the state park system by inviting visitors to collect unique stamps at 12 participating DCR parks and watersheds across the state. The challenge kicks off on Saturday, June 21, and individuals who collect all 12 stamps by the program’s Sunday, November 30 end date, will receive a Park Passport water bottle sticker and will be entered to win a grand prize.  

 

“Our DCR parklands are more than just beautiful landscapes – they enrich the lives of residents and families all across our state, providing them with spaces to explore, reflect and recreate,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We hope our new Park Passport Challenge serves as a fun and interactive way for visitors from all backgrounds and of all ages – especially children – to experience and learn about the natural world around them and our incredible state park system.” 

 

The initiative is focused on bringing more families and children, especially those from environmental justice populations, into the outdoors to experience Massachusetts’s natural and recreational resources. 

 

Park passports are available at each participating location that has a visitor center and can also be printed out from DCR’s Park Passport webpage along with coloring pages for participating parks. Passport stamps are held in yellow stamp boxes for increased visibility and are installed in ways that make them easy to reach for visitors of all abilities. Combinations to each stamp box can be found on each Park Passport stamp sheet. The exact location and code for each stamp box and additional information on the challenge are listed on DCR’s Park Passport Challenge webpage. All written materials for the initiative are available in the 10 most common spoken languages in Massachusetts.  

 

Participants looking to delve a deeper into the park experience are invited to take part in optional location-specific bonus activities available in a worksheet on the webpage. Activities include an observant hike, nature scavenger and history hunts, and more. 

 

After stamping their passport, participants should close and relock the stamp boxes. Once you collect all 12 stamps, fill out the redemption form on the Park Passport Challenge webpage by November 30, 2025, to redeem a water bottle sticker and be entered to win a grand prize. Grand prizes include free Boston Harbor Island ferry tickets, a complimentary DCR ParksPass, and a reservation for DCR’s annual Learn to Camp program, as well as courtesy camping equipment. Participants are also encouraged to share your adventure by tagging us on social media @MassDCR. Stamps are located at the following participating state parks:  

 

Boston Region 

Blue Hills Reservation, Milton 

Castle Island, South Boston  

 

North Region 

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord  

Halibut Point State Park, Rockport  

 

South Region 

Waquoit Bay Natural Estuarine Research Reserve, East Falmouth  

Fall River Heritage State Park, Fall River  

 

Central Region 

Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, Uxbridge  

Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Princeton  

 

West Region 

Mount Greylock State Reservation, Lanesboro  

Great Falls Discovery Center, Montague  

 

Water Supply 

Quabbin Reservoir, Belchertown  

Wachusett Reservoir, Clinton  

 

DCR also launched the MA250 Challenge to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the American Revolution and the role DCR parks and properties played in the Revolution. The MA250 Challenge will run through 2025 and 2026, and participants can earn a sticker and be entered to win prizes by completing any two of the following activities:  

·       visiting two DCR properties 

·       taking five pictures at DCR properties and tagging @MassDCR on social media 

·       completing five miles of hiking, walking, swimming, running, or biking at DCR properties 

·       or leaving zero trace of activity at any visited DCR property. 

 

For more information or questions regarding the Park Passport Challenge, emaildcrpassport@mass.gov. 

麻州政府為高中生創造1400個大學先修席位

Healey-Driscoll Administration Creates 1,400 New Early College Seats for High School Students 

18 new partnerships created for 2025-26 school year; Will add more than 3,900 seats by 2030 

BOSTON —The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced 18 new Early College partnerships following a vote by the Early College Joint Committee of the Boards of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education. These new Early College partnerships bring the statewide total to 73 and allow 1,400 additional Massachusetts high school students to enroll in Early College programs in the upcoming school year. In total, 69 high schools and 32 higher education institutions will support approximately 10,000 students in the 2025-26 school year. 

“Early college is an important and effective tool for making higher education more accessible and affordable for every Massachusetts student,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These new partnerships give more young people the opportunity to earn college credit at no cost while still in high school, setting them on a path to success and helping to close opportunity gaps.” 

“We’re excited to see the Early College program reach more communities across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This program empowers students with the tools, confidence and experience they need to thrive in higher education and the workforce.” 

Early College programs are a key part of the administration’s Reimagining High School initiative, ensuring Massachusetts students are prepared for college or careers when they graduate. These programs allow high school students, especially those underrepresented in higher education, to earn college credits at no cost to them or their families while still in high school.

“We’re seeing firsthand how these programs make a difference and set students up for long-term college success,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By expanding Early College, we’re making good on our promise to open more doors, remove financial barriers, and ensure our education system works for everyone.” 

“Early College is crucial for growing both college access and student success in Massachusetts,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “These new early college opportunities allow more students to draw on college experience as they craft and successfully pursue their higher education path.”    

Today’s new designations build on the 16 designations the administration made over the last two years, increasing the number of participants by 3,700 since spring 2022-23, a 59 percent increase. The administration awarded $8 million throughout this school year to support schools and higher education institutions as they design new Early College programs and expand existing ones, as well as $11.2 million in credit reimbursement for universities and colleges. The new partnerships approved this week will create up to 3,913 additional seats by 2030, with the goal of providing Early College access to as many as 20,000 Massachusetts students by the end of the decade.  

“Early College is a proven, game-changing, educational equity program for Massachusetts high school students,” said Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chair Katherine Craven. “Our Board, working with the Board of Higher Education, has ambitious plans to grow access to Early College to as many high school students in Massachusetts as possible over the next few years.” 

"Early College programs allow our colleges to serve students in high school as soon as they are ready to explore college majors and careers and start earning college credits,” said Board of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli. We have hard evidence that participating in Early College increases the likelihood that students, especially low-income students, will go on to matriculate and persist towards graduation. Along the way, they get greater clarity on their choices of majors and career pathways and they save money and time to earning their degrees. We are committed to scaling Early College so it becomes the ‘new normal.’ We are so proud of and grateful for all of the colleges that lean into this mission in partnership with local high schools and districts" 

For more information on Early College programs, visit DESE’s website. 

Statements of Support:  

UMass President Marty Meehan:  

“We are very grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their support of these programs and continued efforts to expand access and affordability to higher education. Early college gives students the knowledge, experience, and confidence they need to thrive in college while also providing them with a financial head-start with the credits they earn at no cost to them or their families. Early college is changing thousands of students’ lives by eliminating barriers to college. Across our UMass campuses, we are working hard to expand opportunities and create innovative paths so more Massachusetts students can access a world-class UMass education.” 

Bridgewater State University President Frederick Clark: 

“Bridgewater State University strongly supports the expansion of Early College, which strengthens our mission of increasing college access and degree attainment by students from underserved communities who otherwise may not experience the transformational impact of higher education. By accelerating the time to degree and enhancing college affordability, Early College benefits students, families, communities and our state economy.” 

North Shore Community College President and Community College Council of Presidents Chair William Heineman:  

“I am proud of the extensive work that North Shore Community College has done in our region to boost early college access and have seen first-hand how well early college programs work for students. On behalf of my community college colleagues, I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for recognizing the impact of early college. We are all excited to watch early college continue to grow.” 

Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) Executive Director Mary Bourque: 

“Superintendents across the Commonwealth have described the profound impact that Early College has had on their schools and their students, particularly to make higher education more accessible and affordable. M.A.S.S. has been proud to support the continued expansion of this widely successful initiative, and we are grateful that these new partnerships will make a positive difference in the lives of many more college-bound students."  

 

New Early College Partnerships:  

• Argosy Collegiate Charter School in Fall River and UMass Dartmouth 

• Attleboro High School and Bristol Community College 

• Avon High School and Quincy College 

• Beverly High School and North Shore Community College 

• Billerica High School and UMass Lowell 

• B.M.C. Durfee High School (Fall River) and UMass Dartmouth 

• Brockton High School and Bridgewater State University 

• Brockton High School and Massasoit Community College 

• Clinton High School, Mt. Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State University 

• David Prouty High Schol (Spencer) and Worcester State University 

• Duggan Academy (Springfield) and American International College 

• Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (Boston) and Bunker Hill Community College 

• Martha’s Vineyard High School and Middlesex Community College 

• Methuen High School and UMass Lowell 

• New Bedford High School and UMass Dartmouth 

• Pittsfield High School and Berkshire Community College 

• Tech Boston Academy and UMass Boston 

• Margarita Muniz Academy (Boston) and UMass Boston  

麻州餐議會通過5.32億元預算支援醫院及醫療中心

Senate Approves $532 Million Budget to Bolster Fiscally Strained Hospitals and Health Centers

Millions in veterans’ benefits and housing assistance also included

 

(BOSTON—6/18/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Senate passed a supplemental budget that directs funding to hospitals and community health centers throughout the state confronting rising costs while working to serve vulnerable populations.

 

The $532 million bill, S.2529, includes $174 million for fiscally strained acute care hospitals and $35 million for community health centers facing financial challenges. Community health centers—many serving residents who live in low-income areas and are uninsured or underinsured—were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to deliver essential care that is increasingly under threat from federal policies.

 

Language in the Senate legislation ensures that state funding will go to the hospitals and care centers specifically providing a high percentage of services to vulnerable populations.

 

“Massachusetts has a healthcare ecosystem that is the envy of other states, and that doesn’t happen by accident. Supporting every resident is part of what it means to be a leader in healthcare access,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This funding will help our hospitals and community health centers provide high-quality care in every region, no matter a patient’s insurance status, as well as provide critical services to our veterans, seniors and municipalities. I’m grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his leadership, Senator Friedman for her unrivalled expertise, and my colleagues for their support on this important legislation.”

 

“The Senate took action today on reconciling deficiencies of $532 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, most notably providing $209 million in critical assistance to fiscally strained acute care hospitals and community health centers,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The bill also allocates $134 million to the Medical Assistance Trust Fund, with the remaining $189 million to responsible bill-paying obligations across a broad range of state agencies and programs. We’re fortunate that the Commonwealth is in strong financial condition to meet these responsibilities, never more important than now in these continuing uncertain times.”

 

“As we contemplate the uncertainties around federal funding, it is essential that we provide financial support for our municipalities, veterans, home care services, and health safety net providers,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “In particular, it is incredibly important that this supplemental budget is delivering targeted relief to our acute care hospitals and community health centers that provide services to our most vulnerable community members—those that are uninsured or underinsured. I thank Senate President Spilka and Chair Rodrigues for their work and attention to this critical matter.”

 

In addition to general hospital and community health support, the bill specifically allocates $1.2 million to Western Massachusetts hospitals, directs $5.8 million to benefits for Massachusetts veterans, provides $60 million for home care services, and funds grants to cities and towns for extraordinary medical costs.

 

The legislation was reported out of the Committee on Ways and Means on June 12, 2025, with 15 members voting to advance the bill and no votes in opposition.  The committee vote is available on the Legislature’s website, along with a full summary of the bill as drafted by the committee and a recording of the Senate’s livestreamed debate on 66 amendments.

 

The bill is a partial report on a measure that passed the House in late May. A version having passed both chambers of the Legislature, the Senate and House will now work to reconcile differences before sending a final version to the Governor’s desk for her signature.

麻州議會通過注資13.9億元發展公共交通及教育

Massachusetts Legislature Invests $1.39 Billion into Public Transportation and Education

MBTA, Regional Transit, Local Aid, Vocational Education Investments from Fair Share Surtax

 

(BOSTON—6/18/2025) Today, the Massachusetts Legislature approved $1.39 billion in new investments in public transportation and public education across the Commonwealth. The supplemental budget—funded by surplus revenue from the Fair Share surtax on incomes over $1 million, allocates $716 million for transportation and $593.5 million for education at every level.

 

To allocate the surplus, this supplemental budget makes significant investments in the MBTA, Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), water transportation, roads, and bridges—with the goal of advancing affordable, safe, and reliable transit for all residents. It also provides critical support for public colleges and universities, expands vocational education programs, and strengthens services for students with disabilities.

 

“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 Legislature’s continued focus on meeting those responsibilities,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House, as well as our partners in the Senate, for working diligently to get this vital funding to the Governor’s desk for her signature. 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 of 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 invests directly in local communities, our school systems, and infrastructure projects that keep Massachusetts moving forward. I’m grateful to Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Comerford, Senator O’Connor, our Senate colleagues, and our partners in the House for advancing this critical legislation. I look forward to seeing the impact of these investments in communities across the state.”

 

“The use of these one-time surplus of funds are a unique opportunity for us to better strength the Commonwealth in numerous ways. By further improving our educational and transportation sectors we will build off the work we have done in the last several budget cycles with a judicious use of the Fair Share funds,” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means. “I want to thank Speaker Mariano and all our House colleagues for their input and support on this critical funding legislation. I also want to thank my Senate counterpart Senator Rodrigues for his partnership in working towards a timely resolution towards this critical piece of legislation.”

 

“I’m pleased the Fair Share supplemental budget reached by the House and Senate supports key public education initiatives, while also greatly strengthening our transportation infrastructure. Smartly utilizing almost $1.4 billion in one-time surplus surtax revenues, the proposal strengthens the Commonwealth’s economic foundation, prioritizing regional equity and maintaining fiscal discipline during these highly uncertain times,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  “This budget plan reaffirms the Legislature’s strong commitment to educational excellence, provides significant resources for special education, and makes substantial investments in the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities. It goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone gets a ‘fair share’.’”

 

The supplemental budget passed today is a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the bill. It utilizes above estimated revenues generated from the Fair Share ballot initiative approved by voters in November 2022, which established a new surtax of four percent on annual income above $1 million to improve the state’s education and transportation sectors. It also utilizes one-time revenues from the Student Opportunity Act Investment Fund and the Transitional Escrow Fund.

 

“Targeted investments in public transit, transportation infrastructure, early education, and special education relief through the circuit breakr program reflect the Commonwealth’s commitment to opportunity and supporting every resident’s potential,” saidRepresentative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “These are the kinds of forward-looking policy decisions that help make Massachusetts a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

 

“In a time of national turbulence and damaging federal cuts, the conference committee has delivered a meaningful compromise that honors the will of Massachusetts voters and invests Fair Share funds equitably across Massachusetts,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of Senate Ways and Means. “This supplemental budget reflects a Senate commitment to regional equity—providing meaningful support for K-12 schools grappling with strained budgets, addressing long-overdue maintenance on public higher education campuses, and delivering much-needed transportation solutions for communities across the Commonwealth.”

 

“I believe we reached a fair and reasonable compromise on the Fair Share bill,” saidRepresentative Todd M. Smola (R-Warren), Ranking Minority member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “Our cities and towns asked for a bigger investment in transportation and education dollars. The adoption of this proposal works toward those goals by providing additional support for infrastructure like roads and bridges as well as strengthening our Regional Transit Authorities. It also reinforces our long-standing commitment to education with greater resources going to special education, career technical education, early education and literacy."

 

“As a member of the joint conference committee, I’m proud to have played a significant role in the process that reflects the values and priorities of communities, such as those on the South Shore that I represent,” said Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (R-Weymouth), Ranking Minority member of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation directs historic and groundbreaking Fair Share investments toward career and technical education, local infrastructure, and regional transportation, which directly benefits our schools, our roads, and our economy. These are the type of investments made by the state that keep our residents and infrastructure flourishing. Those not just living on the South Shore, but across the Commonwealth, have long called for smart, equitable investments, and this package delivers.”

 

Key Transportation Investments

MBTA Upgrades. $535 million for improvements and infrastructure upgrades across the MBTA system, including:

• $300 million to support the MBTA budget reserve.
• $175 million in workforce and safety funding to implement improvements recommended by the Federal Transit Administration.
• $40 million for MBTA physical infrastructure upgrades.
• $20 million for the MBTA’s low-income fare relief program.

 

Aid For Cities and Towns. $103 million for regionally equitable, shovel-ready transportation improvements, including:

• $80 million for supplemental Chapter 90 aid to ensure every city and town receives funding to maintain local roads and bridges, including $40 million to help support small and rural communities by distributing funds based solely on road mileage.
• $16.4 million for municipally owned small bridges and culverts.
• $7 million for the improvement and maintenance of unpaved roads.
  

Regional Equity in Transportation. $73 million for regional transit initiatives, specifically:

• $25 million for capital improvements to equipment and facilities at Regional Transit Authorities, which serve and connect all regions of the Commonwealth.
• $25 million for efforts to improve workforce recruitment and retention at the Regional Transit Authorities.
• $13 million for public ferry infrastructure improvements.
• $10 million for on-demand micro-transit shuttles and Last Mile grants fostering an innovative multimodal transit system.

 

World Cup Preparations: $5 million for transportation improvements associated with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

 

Key Education Investments

Special Education. $248 million for special education costs, including Circuit Breaker reimbursements to local school districts.

 

Public Higher Education Deferred Maintenance. $115 million for public higher education infrastructure investments, including $10 million for lab modernization capital improvements and upgrades at community colleges, helping ensure community colleges have the needed resources to provide a first-class education to the surge of students signing up after passage of MassEducate, which provides free community college to Massachusetts residents.

 

Career Technical Education Capital Grants. $100 million to expand capacity and accommodate additional career technical education school opportunities, including $15 million for a pilot program to support career and vocational technical annex buildings on comprehensive high school campuses.

 

EEC Workforce, Affordability, and Quality Improvement. $45 million for initiatives to support workforce development, affordability and quality improvements in the early education and care sector, including $20 million for rate increases to support early education providers.

 

Literacy Growth. $25 million for high dosage tutoring to support accelerated literacy growth and success for students in kindergarten through grade 3.

 

Endowment Match. $20 million for the endowment incentive match program to leverage public funds to encourage private fundraising by the state’s public higher education institutions to support accessible and affordable education programming, including $10 million for a Department of Higher Education (DHE) endowment incentive match and $10 million for the University of Massachusetts endowment incentive program.

 

English Language Learning Programs. $10 million for educational grants to help speakers of languages other than English to learn English—and subsequently aid in filling in-demand jobs—by reducing the waitlist for services.

 

Holocaust Museum Boston. $10 million to support the Holocaust Museum Boston.

 

Green SchoolWorks. $10 million for grants to eligible local school districts for clean energy infrastructure improvements and upgrades.

 

Regional School Transportation. $8.1 million to support regional school transportation costs.

 

Tomorrow's Teachers Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness. $2.475 million for scholarships and loan forgiveness initiatives to encourage qualified high school and currently-enrolled college students to seek teaching in the Massachusetts public school system as a career pathway.

 

Having passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, the bill now goes to the Governor for her signature.

Governor Healey Nominates Andrew Don and Nibal Raheb to Juvenile Court

  Governor Healey Nominates Andrew Don and Nibal Raheb to Juvenile Court 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today nominated Andrew Don and Nibal Raheb as Associate Justices to the Juvenile Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation. 

“Andrew Don and Nibal Raheb both have extensive experience in the Juvenile Court, which will help make them excellent judges,” said Governor Healey. “Over the course of their respective careers, they’ve supported Massachusetts families throughout the judicial process, and they know how to apply the law to protect children. We’re grateful for the work of the Governor’s Council as they consider these nominations.” 

“We’re proud to nominate these two dedicated attorneys to serve on the Juvenile Court,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Their understanding of the law and commitment to protecting children and families make them highly-qualified nominees for the Juvenile Court. We look forward to working with the Governor’s Council to confirm these nominees.”   

The mission of the Juvenile Court is to protect children from abuse and neglect, to promote opportunities for children to reside in safe, stable, permanent family environments, to strengthen families, to rehabilitate juveniles, and to protect the public from delinquent and criminal behavior. The Juvenile Court Department has jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters including delinquencies, youthful offender cases, care and protection matters and children requiring assistance cases. It has 42 judges, including the Chief Justice, sitting in over 40 courthouses. 

For more information about the Juvenile Court, visit its homepage. Governor Healey has previously nominated Jennifer Currie, Tiffanie Ellis-Niles, Andrew Hoffman, Audrey Murillo, Jeannie Rhinehart, Fabiola White and Karin Wilinski to the Juvenile Court. 

About the Nominees 

Andrew Don has served as Trial Panel Director for CPCS’s Children and Family Law (CAFL) Division since 2021, where he oversees 750 private attorneys who represent parents or children in Juvenile Court care and protection, child requiring assistance and guardianship proceedings. From 2003 and 2021, Attorney Don maintained a solo practice in Scituate, where he focused on representing families in care and protection and criminal delinquency matters. Attorney Don’s dedication to improving the lives of children and families has been lifelong, starting before his career as a lawyer. He worked at the Home for Little Wanderers, helping to manage DCF (then DSS) residential programs and spent three years as a live-in volunteer at the Haley House Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen in Boston, living and working alongside homeless men and elderly residents of the South End while helping to run the facility. Attorney Don also worked as a Residential Supervisor at a DMH residential treatment program for adolescents. Attorney Don has a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from Boston College Law School and resides in Scituate. 

Nibal Raheb has practiced law for 26 years as a solo practitioner, primarily working as a bar advocate in Worcester County Juvenile Court and Westborough District Court. She has significant experience in the juvenile court handling care and protection, delinquency and child requiring assistance cases; demonstrating her deep knowledge and commitment to the fair administration of justice for young people and families. She has tried many juvenile court cases to conclusion. In addition to her work in the courtroom, she is currently the supervising attorney for the Worcester County Bar Advocates, managing the Juvenile private counsel panel. In this leadership role, she mentors and oversees attorneys representing indigent clients in complex and sensitive juvenile matters. Attorney Raheb has a B.A. from Clark University and a J.D. from Southern New England School of Law and resides in Worcester.