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Federal prosecutors in NY and DC resign after refusing to drop Mayor Eric Adams charges; IN weighs Bitcoin bet in state investments; In rural east KY, communities find ways to boost kids early learning; and start date for MN's paid leave law is now up for debate.

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Federal workers tasked with securing elections from foreign interference are placed on leave, parents' organizations reject dismantling Dept. of Education, and the Congressional Black Caucus presses discussions on slavery reparations.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

MA 'millionaire’s tax' generates windfall for public education

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Thursday, August 1, 2024   

The Massachusetts state budget has been finalized and public education leaders say students came out on top.

More than $1 billion generated by the state's "millionaire's tax" allowed for increased per-student funding for districts, greater literacy education and most notably, free community college for all students.

Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, called it an important step toward providing quality, debt-free, higher education for all.

"We can tell a fifth grader, 'You can go on to college. You will not have to pay tuition and fees,'" Page emphasized. "That's a crucial statement to those students and their families that this is truly affordable."

Page noted educators were essential to passage of the Fair Share Amendment, which allows for a 4% surtax on income of more than $1 million, to pay for public education and transportation. Massachusetts has some of the highest education costs in the country.

Students do better in school when they have teachers they can relate to. The budget continues to fund the Tomorrow's Teachers program, which aims to increase and diversify the educator workforce with scholarships up to $25,000 per year toward college tuition.

Page pointed out it also includes $170 million to guarantee access to free school meals for every student.

"It's an amazing investment," Page stressed. "It's made possible by these Fair Share monies and it will not only be good for the health of these students, it's also good for their education. Hungry kids are not able to learn."

Page added because the Legislature vastly underestimated just how much the Fair Share Amendment would raise, lawmakers will have an additional billion dollars to spend on one-time investments in the fall. He would like to see improvements to college campus infrastructure across the Commonwealth and a pay raise for faculty and staff.

Disclosure: The Massachusetts Teachers Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Children's Issues, Civic Engagement, and Education. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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