A Better City Testifies In Support of Additional Fair Share Surtax Funding for MBTA
April 14, 2025
On April 3rd, A Better City President & CEO Kate Dineen testified in support of House Bill 55, which would invest $857 million in Fair Share surtax dollars in our statewide transportation system, including critically needed funds to stabilize the MBTA's near-term operating budget. Last week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that included this money. You can read A Better City's testimony here.
This “supplemental budget” spending bill is the first piece of Governor Healey’s plan to implement the recommendations of the Transportation Funding Task Force. Back in January, the Task Force called for the state to provide additional support for the MBTA by using some existing Fair Share surtax money that is currently being held in reserve. This spending plan is part of the effort to achieve a 50-50 split of Fair Share surtax revenue between transportation and education programs, in order to match the original promise of this new tax that the voters approved in November 2022.
The bill that just passed the House would use Fair Share surtax funds to give the MBTA almost $800 million to stabilize the MBTA operating budget in 2025 and replenish MBTA reserves to avoid future service cuts and layoffs in the next two years. There are also line items to increase workforce recruitment for Regional Transit Authorities, address unpaved municipally owned roads, and address a small number of local transportation projects. The bill also includes almost $400 million for education programs.
This supplemental budget bill now heads to the Senate for their consideration. A Better City will continue to monitor its progress and other legislative actions related to transportation finance and the needs of the MBTA.
