Woburn and Reading to See Increase in Funding
BOSTON – State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) recently joined his colleagues in the House to pass a $1.3 billion supplemental budget with investments of $353 million in education-related initiatives and $828 million in transportation-related priorities. For the City of Woburn and the Town of Reading, the budget increases Circuit Breaker Reimbursement funding from 44% to 75%, helping offset special education costs, while also providing $50 million for vocational school capital projects.
“This supplemental budget represents smart and fiscally responsible investments in our Commonwealth’s most critical needs,” said Representative Haggerty. “We directed the Fair Share funds to our transit system to make sure it remains reliable and safe, and to local school districts to help provide the highest quality education – including the Circuit Breaker that will boost reimbursements to Woburn and Reading from 44% to 75% of funds spent to offset high-cost special education services, as well as $50 million towards capital projects at our vocational schools. I look forward to this investment helping our local school districts and transit system.”
This supplemental budget includes money from the Fair Share ballot initiative that voters approved in November 2022. The initiative created a new 4% tax on yearly income over $1 million and puts these new public funds toward improving the state’s education and transportation systems.
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.
“In the coming weeks I also look forward to supporting a Chapter 90 local paving bill to give Woburn and Reading the resources they need for local infrastructure work,” said Representative Haggerty. “It is my hope the bill will continue the Legislature’s commitment in supporting local roads and pedestrian improvements.”
The supplemental budget bill passed the House of Representatives 140-14. It now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
