A plan to create a tuition-free, universal community college for all Massachusetts residents was up for debate Tuesday as the state Senate begins deliberating a $57.9 billion budget for the new fiscal year. .
Supporters, including Democratic Senate President Karen Spilka, argue that the plan, dubbed MassEducate, aims to grow the state’s workforce while expanding opportunities for students across the state. .
The proposal would set aside $75.5 million in new spending to cover tuition and fees and provide scholarships of up to $1,200 for books, supplies and other expenses to students making at or below 125% of the state median income.
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The Senate plan included in the 2025 budget includes $18 million for free nursing programs at community colleges and $24 million for free community college for residents 25 and older, created in this year’s budget. Investment in the program will continue.
“As we invest in our local talent and open the workforce floodgates to employers hungry for graduates, Massachusetts will continue to be a state we are proud of,” Spilka said when announcing the plan earlier this year. We can remain competitive,” he said in a statement. Month.
If the proposal is included in the state’s final budget, students would be eligible for tuition and fees and scholarships for the upcoming fall semester.
That’s not certain.
FILE – Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka presides over the inaugural ceremony in the House chamber of the State Capitol in Boston, January 3, 2019. A plan to create a universal, tuition-free community college for all Massachusetts residents was being debated in the state Senate. Tuesday, May 21, 2024, began debate on the proposed $57.9 billion budget or new fiscal year. Supporters, including Spilka, say the plan, dubbed “MassEducate,” aims to grow the state’s workforce while expanding opportunities for students in every region of the state. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
The Massachusetts House of Representatives has already approved a state budget that does not include the proposal, and Senate leaders must negotiate with the Democratic-led House to include it in the final spending plan that will ultimately be sent to Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat.
More than 90,000 students attend Massachusetts’ 15 community colleges, approximately 70% of whom attend school part-time while balancing work and family responsibilities.
Almost half receive federal Pell grants. Those students already qualify for book grants through state financial aid, but they could also receive a combined $2,400 annual book, supplies and attendance grant under the Senate’s plan.
Critics have warned that the Senate’s community college plan could be difficult to maintain costs.
“Nothing is more expensive than giving something for free,” said Paul Diego Craney, spokesman for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance. “Costs will inevitably grow and taxpayers will be forever liable to pay the price for this irresponsible decision.”
The Senate’s budget deliberations show that the voter-approved “billionaire tax,” which imposes a 4% surtax on the portion of an individual’s annual income over $1 million, has already raised more than $1.8 billion in revenue in the current fiscal year. The move comes amid what state officials say is a significant increase in the number of deaths. There are only three months left in this year, and it’s better than expected.
The funds will be used for transportation and education initiatives.
Massachusetts Teachers Association President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy said in a written statement that the additional tax revenue is vindication for the MTA and other coalitions that pushed for the measure.
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“These funds will help school districts hire and retain the staff they need to meet the needs of their students, and provide K-12 public educators with fair wages and modern working conditions, including paid family leave. “It is critically necessary to deliver this,” they said in a statement.
