Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 13, 2025 DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 7 functional and academic levels of profi ciency in English and another language by high school graduation. • Instruct the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to collect data on sex and relationship education in public schools so that we can understand what students in our state are being taught about an important subject. The Senate’s final budget increases spending by $3.7 billion over Fiscal Year 2025, with the majority of the increase attributed to MassHealth. Aligned with estimated tax revenue growth, the spending plan is based on a consensus tax revenue estimate of $41.214 billion for the coming fi scal year, a 2.25 per cent increase over the current fi scal year’s benchmark. Based on Fair Share surtax revenue estimates, the Senate’s budget proposal included $1.95 billion in education and transportation investments, an increase of $650 million over the last fi scal year. Fair Share Investments The Senate’s budget includes $1.95 billion in Fair Share surtax revenues, consistent with the consensus revenue agreement reached with the Administration and House of Representatives. The Senate budget uses these revenues to support If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available quality public education investments and the state’s transportation infrastructure, which are two cornerstones of the state’s economic foundation. Together with the Senate’s $1.28 billion Fair Share supplemental budget proposal passed earlier this month, total support this year for Fair Share supported statewide transportation and education projects amount to over $3 billion. To brace for potential federal actions, the Senate’s FY26 budget deposits $165 million of surtax revenues into the Education and Transportation Reserve Fund, maintaining the Senate’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing fi scal responsibility in the face of rising uncertainty. By doing so, the budget sets aside a downpayment that will help maintain commitments to public education programming and transportation infrastructure in the event of economic disruption due to potential federal actions. Notable Fair Share Education investments include: • $325 million (M) for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grant program, which is matched with other funds for a total investment of $475M • $265M for Student Opportunity Act (SOA) expansion • $170M for universal free school meals • $120M for universal free community college • $100M to maintain fi nancial aid programs for in-state students attending state universities through MASSGrant Plus • $98M for childcare supports • $50M for school transportation reimbursement costs • $14M for the State University Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services (SUCCESS) Program • $10M for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) • $20M for early literacy initiatives and programs • $8M for the Reimagining High School Initiative • $5M for school-based mental health and wraparound services Notable Fair Share Transportation investments include: • $350M (in addition to other funding) to support Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operations for FY26 • $120M to support Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) across the state. Together with resources from the General Fund, the bill provides a record $214M for RTAs. The Fair Share funding supports direct operating support for RTAs, complete fare-free, fi xed-route access across all RTAs, incentivizing connections between regional transit routes and local economic hubs, and expanded mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities. • $78M for debt service for expanded new bond capacity for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF) for essential transportation projects across the Commonwealth • By committing $600M annually to the CTF, the Senate will unlock additional bond capacity for critical transportation projects over the next 10 years. • $52M in operating support for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Education The Senate FY26 budget supports students of all ages by maintaining investments in public education at every level. The budget fully funds the fi fth year of the Student Opportunity Act, provides a historic funding commitment to the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), and stands with public and private institutions of higher education at a volatile time. With a $1.71 billion total investment in early education and care, the Senate’s budget builds on last year’s passage of the EARLY ED Act, supporting the sector’s workforce, protecting programming and maintaining access to affordable care for families facing economic pressures. Notable education funding includes: • $517.6M for income-eligible childcare • $448.2M for Department of Children & Families (DCF) and Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) related childcare • $475M for the C3 operational grant program, supporting critical operational and workforce initiatives across the early education sector • $98M for childcare supports, DIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 9
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