Both the Massachusetts House and Senate have made important statements by allocating a share of projected casino revenues to public higher education. As the casino legislation moves to Conference Committee, PHENOM applauds the coalition that made the case for this, thanks the legislators who made this happen, and – most important – remains vigilant to ensure that the higher ed provision survives intact in the final law. We need your help!
The higher ed amendments passed by the House and the Senate are almost identical in their impact, but because they are worded slightly differently (see below), this section will be discussed again by the Conference Committee.
The Conference Committee consists of Rep. Brian Dempsey, Rep. Paul Frost, Rep. Joe Wagner, Sen. Jen Flanagan, Sen. Richard Ross, and Sen. Stanley Rosenberg. The fate of what could turn out to be $20 million per year for public higher education rests in their hands. It does not matter much whether they adopt the House or the Senate language, or some combination. It is critical, however, that they not remove it. It is our job to remind them how important public higher education is to our state’s residents and our state’s economy.
HOUSE
There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a fund to be known as the Education Fund. The fund shall be credited any monies transferred under section 59 an d all monies credited to or transferred to the fund from any other fund or source. Expenditures from said fund shall be subject to appropriation, provided further, that 35 per cent of funds shall be appropriated for the purposes of higher education to supplement, and not offset, any reduction in the general appropriation act from the previous fiscal year and, provided further, that any expenditures from said fund for K-12 education shall be used to supplement, and not offset, any reduction in item 7061-0008 of the general appropriation act from the previous year’s general appropriation act.
SENATE
There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a fund to be known as the Education Fund. Eligible expenditures from this Fund shall include early education programs, K-12 funding, and higher education. Expenditures from said fund for early education shall be used to supplement, and not offset, any reduction in the general appropriation act from the previous fiscal year. Expenditures from said fund for higher education shall be used to supplement, and not offset, any reduction in the general appropriation act from the previous year; provided further, that not less than one-third of funds received shall be expended for higher education. The fund shall be credited any monies transferred under section 59 an d all monies credited to or transferred to the fund from any other fund or source. Expenditures from said fund for K-12 education shall be used to supplement, and not offset, any reduction in item 7061-0008 of the general appropriation act from the previous year’s general appropriation act.