The Massachusetts Legislature has 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 support for public colleges and universities, expands vocational education programs, and strengthens services for students with disabilities.
“The quality of our nation-leading public education system and public transportation infrastructure often define who we are as a Commonwealth. I am proud that the Conference Committee Report on the Fair Share Supplemental Budget represents a balanced, smart, forward thinking and common-sense approach that directly infuses funds into these consequential sectors to help address residents’ most pressing needs amid economic uncertainty and pinching budgets. Grateful to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and members of the Conference Committee for their thoughtful and collaborative approach in crafting this spending package,” said Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxboro) in a statement.
During debate of the Fair Share spending bill, Feeney secured $925,000 for local priorities throughout his district to support local public transportation and education needs. Local funding priorities include:
- $165,000 for Canton Public Schools for updates to science curriculum materials. The updated science curriculum will help improve science teaching and learning for over 3,000 students next year.
- $100,000 for Attleboro Public Schools for ADA renovations at the Briggs Corner School. Renovations will include a ramp, an indoor chair lift, door hardware replacement, and any necessary remediation to make this building accessible.
- $100,000 for the Norfolk County Agricultural High School for the demolition and replacement of one of the four greenhouses that are part of the Plant Science Building and Plant Sciences programs. The new greenhouse will enhance the schools’ instructional programs benefiting students, increase energy efficiency, and contribute to reducing energy costs.
- $15,000 for Canton High School for the purposes of continuing an Italian language and cultural education curriculum with CIAO, the Cultural Italian American Organization.
- $75,000 for Norton Public Schools for math and science curriculum materials for grades 6-12.
- $75,000 for the Town of Foxboro for parking upgrades, way finding and transportation improvements in Uptown Foxborough. The upgrades include enhancements to public parking lots, landscaping, and shared community spaces. These upgrades are slated for implementation in FY26 and aim to build on the district’s recent resurgence.
- $45,000 for Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, Inc. for statewide litter prevention on roads and highways. Keep Massachusetts Beautiful has local chapters throughout the Bristol and Norfolk Senate District and help keep our communities clean and green.
- $200,000 for construction costs at the May Institute in Mansfield, which provides out-of-district public school placements for students with profound autism, in collaboration with state Rep. Adam Scanlon (D-Mansfield) who secured funding in the House version of the bill.
- $100,000 for the National History Day in Massachusetts program, operated by the Massachusetts Historical Society, to sustain and increase access to the program for students and teachers across the Commonwealth. National History Day in Massachusetts is a year-long interdisciplinary program focused on historical research, interpretation, and creative expression for students in grades 6 through 12.
- $175,000 for the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth, Inc. to renovate a studio for the purposes of enhancing and expanding the delivery of virtual professional development training of educators including but not limited to behavioral/social-emotional learning, trauma-sensitive classrooms, substance use prevention, and school safety threat assessment.