Fair Share surplus funds transportation and education investments
Monday, April 14, 2025 – Representative Kathy LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing $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.
“This supplemental budget affirms the House of Representatives commitment to providing the highest quality educational system for our students and the highest quality transportation system for our residents,” said Kathleen LaNatra (D – Kingston). “Strong investments into both of these critical areas will have ripple effects throughout the Commonwealth, strengthening our economy and building a Massachusetts that works for everyone for years to come. I look forward to continuing these investments as we move into the FY26 budget later this month, and I want to thank Speaker Mariano and Chairman Michlewitz for their leadership on this bill.”
The supplemental budget passed today 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.
• $50 million for capital improvements at vocational schools
• $40 million for early education and care (EEC) workforce, affordability, and quality improvement supports
• $10 million for universal school meals for every public-school student in the Commonwealth
• $10 million for DHE Endowment Match
• $10 million for University of Massachusetts Endowment Match
• $10 million for Green SchoolWorks to decarbonize and increase efficiency in our schools through green energy projects
• $8.5 million for ESOL services waitlist
Transportation
•$400 million for MBTA Workforce and Safety Reserve
• $300 million for MBTA Deficiency Fund
• $60 million for MBTA physical infrastructure
• $25 million for MTTF Transfer RTA Workforce Development
• $20 million for reduced MBTA fares for riders with low incomes
• $13 million for MBTA Sumner Tunnel reimbursement
• $10 million for unpaved roads
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.