This week the FY 2022 budget moves to the Senate for debate. MassINC is tracking several amendments that are critically important for Gateway Cities, including funding for Early College expansion, neighborhood stabilization, small business assistance, and Regional Transit Authorities.
Regional Transit Authorities Win Funding Victory in House Budget
The Gateway Cities Journal
Public transportation service for over half the state’s population — the half not served by the MBTA — won a precedent-setting victory last week during the House budget debate. As Jim Kolesar from Berkshire Interfaith Organizing says, “Full funding for the RTAs, including our Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, seems the minimum that we should be
Addressing College Completion Gaps Starts with Stable Funding
The Gateway Cities Journal
Establishing a strong precedent of fully covering the costs of Early College as programs grow is critical to ensuring that communities and state government are aligned when it comes to executing on this strategic initiative.
Are free buses closer than they appear?
The Gateway Cities Journal
Free buses may be the bold idea Massachusetts needs to rebuild a culture of public transportation as we emerge from the pandemic in 2021.
Who Will Rescue the Student Opportunity Act?
The Gateway Cities Journal
The problem in a nutshell: The Legislature hasn’t provided certainty that the state will make good on its promise to deliver the funds in equal increments over the law’s seven-year phase-in period. Lacking confidence that they will see these scheduled increases in Chapter 70 aid, school districts have been hesitant to develop plans to deploy the new funds strategically.
FY21 budget offers a beacon for Justice Reinvestment
The Gateway Cities Journal
The FY21 budget, which passed both branches last week, goes even further by creating a true “Justice Reinvestment” fund and capitalizing it with a $15 million appropriation. From job training and transitional employment to housing stabilization, a wide range of community-based programs are eligible for these resources.
Diversity, competitiveness remain low in Mass. politics
The Gateway Cities Journal
In summary, electoral competitiveness remains at an all-time low and people of color continue to be underrepresented by similar margins.
Gateway Cities can’t afford cuts to MBTA service
The Gateway Cities Journal
By the time we emerge from the pandemic and turn the economy back on, we will be winding down the transportation networks central to an equitable recovery. But an affordable, accessible, and reliable public transit is especially vital to Gateway City revitalization.
Chelsea’s David vs. Goliath College Enrollment Battle
The Gateway Cities Journal
By building one of the largest Early College High Schools in the state, Chelsea has found a solution that could significantly increase college completion.
The MCAS is flawed – but necessary
The Gateway Cities Journal
There’s much to dislike about standardized tests, but doing away with them altogether would put us in the worst possible place coming out of the pandemic.