Press Release: 2/6/2026
Governor Healey Releases New Impact Report on Transformative New Fair Share Investments in Education, Transportation
Healey-Driscoll Administration has made child care more affordable; expanded Career and Technical Education and Early College; improved roads, bridges and public transit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2/05/2026
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Karissa Hand, Press Secretary
Phone
Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025
BOSTON — Today, Governor Healey posted Delivering on Fair Share, a new Impact Report on how the Healey-Driscoll Administration has invested funds from the Fair Share surtax to improve education and transportation in Massachusetts. Report data shows that the administration has made overdue upgrades to roads and bridges, improved safety and reliability of public transportation, increased Career and Technical Education and Early College seats, made community college free, expanded financial aid at four-year colleges, and expanded access to affordable child care for thousands of families.
“Massachusetts residents deserve, and businesses and our economy benefit from, investments in high-quality education and effective and reliable transportation,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are making smart, strategic investments that improve life for our residents and families, as well as Massachusetts businesses and our economy – and the return on investment is clear. I’m grateful to the Legislature for their partnership to deliver these results for Massachusetts and for the continued collaboration of advocates and leaders across education and transportation.”
“We’re proud to launch this Impact Report to show how our administration has put Fair Share dollars to work to make meaningful improvements in every Massachusetts city and town,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As a longtime former mayor, I’m especially proud of how we have been able to help cities, towns, and rural areas to improve local transportation and to provide world-class education.”
“Fair Share dollars are transforming how people in Massachusetts learn, work, and get around,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "Using these funds, we have made community college free, delivered record financial aid to public higher education students, and opened thousands of childcare slots for families. They are funding fare-free transit in every region, paving roads, repairing bridges, and helping get the MBTA back on track. This investment is producing real, visible results that are improving daily life for people across the Commonwealth."
“The release of this report and the rollout of the dashboard by the Healey-Driscoll Administration is consistent with the longstanding goals of the Legislature to account for the use of Fair Share funds in an open, public, and transparent manner,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport). “I applaud the Administration for taking this necessary step. It ensures the public is fully informed about how we have maximized Fair Share resources to generate a real return on investment, improving educational opportunities for all, bolstering transportation infrastructure, and making Massachusetts more affordable and competitive. I hope our residents take the opportunity to visit the online dashboard, review the report, and learn more about the actions we have taking to invest Fair Share revenues to deliver for the Commonwealth and our communities.”
“Over the last three years, our administration’s Fair Share investment strategy has included practicing sound fiscal discipline, leveraging these funds to make transformational investments, and prioritizing long-term impacts in communities across the state,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “Our new Impact Report reflects the success of our strategy and informs how we will continue investing the surtax to make Massachusetts an even better place to live.”
The Impact Report shows that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has used Fair Share revenues to expand access to affordable child care and early education, and to give students the support they need to succeed. For example, the Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA) program reached an additional 18,500 families, helping more parents return to work and more children get the strong start they need. The Impact Report also shows that the surtax funds 280,000 free and healthy school meals every day, saving families time and money and helping students to learn.
The Impact Report also demonstrates how the administration has used the surtax to make higher education in Massachusetts even more effective and more affordable, such as establishing free community college for all students and supporting capital improvements to 200 buildings across the 29 public institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. The BRIGHT Act, filed by Governor Healey in 2025, would further leverage these funds to generate up to $3 billion in funds for capital projects on UMass, state university, and community college campuses.
“The Healey-Driscoll Administration has been making sustained, meaningful investments in our early education, K-12 and higher education sectors, especially in communities that have historically been underfunded,”said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Through Fair Share, we’re able to expand access to high-quality learning opportunities, strengthen student supports and ensure our educators have the resources they need to help every student succeed.”
The Governor’s $8 billion transportation investment plan, released last year, leverages Fair Share to make improvements transit networks across the state over the next 10 years. According to the Impact Report, hundreds of long-overdue bridge and road upgrades are already underway across Massachusetts, and every community in Massachusetts received increased Chapter 90 funding to enable municipal transportation improvements.
Surtax revenues have also facilitated the Administration’s work to make public transit systems work better for riders across the state. These investments are improving the rider experience, with faster journeys, fewer delays and shorter waits between trains. In total, Fair Share has enabled projects to improve safety and reliability for riders in all 177 communities served by the MBTA, Commuter rail, ferry and bus networks, including the historic Track Improvement Program, during which over 220 slow zones stemming from decades of deferred maintenance were removed. Through the surtax, the administration has also saved 35,000 MBTA riders an average of $228 per year on fares.
“Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s leadership and continued legislative support, Fair Share has enabled both MassDOT and the MBTA to tackle longstanding transportation infrastructure needs across the entire state. We have been able to perform and accelerate critical work, such as eliminating decades-old speed restrictions across our light and heavy rail systems, and addressing bridge repairs on closed, load-restricted, or poor-condition bridges through the $75 million Funding for Accelerated Infrastructure Repair (FAIR) program. With a commitment of $8 billion over ten years, including funds for regional transit authorities, we are facilitating longer term goals that strengthen the entire transportation network with sustained, strategic investments where they matter most—on the roads, bridges, transit systems, and corridors people rely on every day,” said Interim MassDOT Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. “To further support municipalities, we’ve delivered new and increased Chapter 90 funds that help address local bridge repairs, pavement needs, and traffic mitigation, improving the quality of life for residents, and invigorating downtowns, housing, and jobs. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is making government work for those we serve by providing cities and towns the tools and certainty they need to plan effectively, deliver projects more efficiently, and improve safety and reliability across the Commonwealth.”
The administration is continuing to propose future investments. In January, Governor Healey filed her Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal, House 2, which includes $2.7 billion in Fair Share surtax spending, and a Fair Share supplemental budget bill to spend $1.15 billion in surplus FY25 surtax revenues. This is in addition to the Governor’s recently filed Chapter 90 bond bill, which proposes $1.2 billion over four years, made possible by leveraging Fair Share revenues, for municipal transportation projects.
More data is available via the Impact Report, which will be updated annually.
Statements of Support:
Cindy Rowe, President & CEO of JALSA and a leader in the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition:
"Fair Share-funded investments in transportation and public education are making Massachusetts more affordable, competitive, and equitable, and helping build a stronger economy that works for all of us. With this new website, voters in all 351 cities and towns can see how Fair Share is funding our local public schools and roads. Working families can see how we're benefitting from programs like free school meals, college financial aid, and free buses that make life more affordable, and transit riders can see how Fair Share is financing new investments in the MBTA and regional transit authorities to deliver a more reliable public transportation system. As time goes by, it's clearer and clearer that Fair Share is a win-win."
Kevin Brousseau, Secretary-Treasurer, MA AFL-CIO & Co-Chair, MA AFL-CIO Public Sector Task Force:
“Working people across the Commonwealth have benefitted from the Healey-Driscoll Administration's strategic, meaningful surtax investments. We applaud this new Impact Report for providing transparency and accountability on how Fair Share has been applied to improving our education and transportation systems, and we look forward to continuing to see the surtax invested in making Massachusetts an even better place for working families.”
Max Page, President, Massachusetts Teachers Association:
"The Fair Share Amendment is delivering billions of dollars in new funding every single year for our public schools and colleges, roads, bridges, and public transit. Fair Share revenues have exceeded expectations, enabling major new investments that would not be possible otherwise. And it's all being paid for by fairly taxing income above $1 million a year. As a member of the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition that helped pass the Fair Share Amendment, I hope everyone in Massachusetts will use this website to understand just how much of a difference Fair Share is making for communities and for the whole Commonwealth, every day.”
Kate Dineen, President and CEO, A Better City:
“Thanks to the stewardship of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislative leaders, Fair Share revenue is delivering for our communities and for our economy. As the new dashboard illustrates, Fair Share resources are being smartly invested to improve our statewide transportation system—from the MBTA and RTAs to roads and bridges across the Commonwealth—and to fund important education programs. We look forward to working together to highlight the impact of Fair Share investments and to advance new strategies for optimizing this crucial funding stream that is helping to address decades of underinvestment in our public transportation system.”
Viviana M. Abreu-Hernandez, President, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center:
“In 2022 Massachusetts voters enacted the Fair Share Amendment resulting in $6.2 billion for investment in public education and transportation. Free community college, childcare vouchers, free public buses, free school meals for all children, improvement of safety and reliability in public transportation, and capital investments have all been possible due to Fair Share. The dashboard developed by the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) creates more transparency and accountability which we applaud. This tool allows the public to see and track how the Fair Share revenue is being invested, just as voters intended.”
Thomas M. McGee, Chair, MBTA Board of Directors:
“The fair share amendment is delivering on its promise of investing critically needed transportation funding for the Commonwealth and the return on those investments is making a real difference in the challenges our system continues to confront. The dashboard is a great tool to highlight these investments in an easily understandable and transparent format. The dashboard focuses on key areas were we have seen substantial results, elimination of over 220 speed restrictions replacing 225,000feet of rail and accessibility improvements across the MBTA system, increasing funding for Chapter 90 by $180 million in 2026 for cities and towns across the commonwealth, dedicating $550 million yearly to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund which translates into an additional $5 billion in (CTF) credit capacity over 10 years, to name a few of the needed investments which are helping move the commonwealth towards a 21st century transportation system that is the lynchpin for our future economy.”
Amie Shei, President and CEO, The Foundation of Central Massachusetts:
“Fair Share surtax funds have enabled new investments in education and transportation initiatives that would not be possible but for this funding. These investments help to advance regional equity, improve health and wellbeing, and ensure that residents across the Commonwealth have access to better education and transportation. The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts has seen the impact that these funds have already had across Central Massachusetts. We are especially pleased to be able to help identify, advocate for, steward, and contribute to new state investments in microtransit in our region.”
Linda Dunlavy, Executive Director, Franklin Regional Council of Governments:
“Fair Share revenue has allowed Massachusetts to expand services and pursue strategic priorities across Massachusetts. In rural Franklin County, free tuition to Greenfield Community College has expanded student enrollment and has allowed the College to create programs directly responsive to Franklin County’s economic needs. The increase to Chapter 90, creation of a pilot gravel roads program and expanded culvert funding provides much needed revenue and access to funding that directly supports the needs and challenges of the most rural municipalities in the Commonwealth.”
Roseann Bongiovanni, Executive Director, Greenroots:
“I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing meaningful investments in public transportation, infrastructure and education; three cornerstones of everyday life for so many in Massachusetts and particularly important for environmental justice communities like Chelsea and East Boston. In addition, I applaud the Administration's commitment to transparency. By showing all residents in the Commonwealth how the Fair Share surtax funds have been invested, Massachusetts is again modeling what Government should be doing -- sharing data intentionally, honestly and transparently.”
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson:
“The historic investments the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made in education and transportation through Fair Share dollars will benefit Massachusetts for years to come. Our goals for housing growth, economic development, health care, and nearly every other policy area can only be fully realized if people can get where they need to go. From road and bridge projects, to fare-free public bus systems, and improvements to rail and subway service, Fair Share investments in transportation are providing the critical connections communities need to move forward and advance local priorities. At the same time, Fair Share investments in education recognize our schools for what they truly are: one of the most powerful ways we make a lasting impact on the lives of the next generation. Some of the first and most meaningful memories our students have of our cities and towns are shaped by their experiences in our schools, just as first impressions visitors have of our communities are shaped by the condition of our roads and the ease of getting from place to place. These investments have worked to improve those experiences to bring Massachusetts to its fullest potential in being a place where people want to work, live, and lead their lives. I want to thank Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for these investments, for their continued partnership with local officials, their continued commitment to building a stronger Commonwealth from the street level up, and for providing this platform to see the full impact of Fair Share investments into people’s everyday lives.”
Reggie Ramos (she/her), Executive Director, Transportation for Massachusetts:
"Fair Share revenues have made a significant impact to stabilize our transportation system from additional funds for Chapter 90 to increased funding for Regional Transportation Authorities. Without these resources, the combination of the Covid 19 pandemic and the decades long underinvestment in the MBTA would have resulted in a death spiral for the MBTA. To address the overwhelming needs of all the communities across the Commonwealth, we must move boldly, pursue fresh revenue opportunities and heed the Transportation Funding Task Force's recommendation of leveraging Fair Share and enhancing current revenues that need updating so that projects like East-West Rail, RTA improvements, microtransit, Cape Cod Bridges are assured of implementation. To that end, we look forward to engaging with the Impact Report as it is instrumental for accountability and transparency. This will be a direct window for residents to learn and track where funding goes and how this might directly impact their daily lives."
James E. Rooney, President & CEO, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce:
“The income surtax remains a controversial law. However, as approved by the voters, we will advocate for the impactful use of this funding to support our statewide transportation and education agendas. The Chamber will continue to ensure that we see meaningful results and that the funding is used as intended. It is imperative that our government leaders are transparent in this regard, and we applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for launching this web site that allows all stakeholders to see how surtax monies are being invested.”
Amy O’Leary, Executive Director, Strategies for Children:
“In 2005 Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to launch an independent, consolidated department with a primary focus on early childhood learning and care. As we look back on that history, we know how critical governance can be to ensure collaboration both inside and outside of government in support of a child’s growth and development – starting at birth through higher education. The investments from the income surtax in early education and care have been transformational. The funding has supported the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Grants, financial assistance for families and rate increases bringing us closer to funding the true cost of care and building a more stable early education and care system for children, families, and educators. Thanks in part to the income surtax, Massachusetts is the only state in the nation to continue funding the pandemic-era grants after federal funding ended. We are a model for the country and will continue to be as we consider opportunities to continue deliver on the promise of supporting a high-quality system in Massachusetts.”
Erin McAleer, CEO of Project Bread, the lead nonprofit behind the Feed Kids Coalition:
“The data is clear: with universal free school meals, more children are eating breakfast and lunch in school and starting their days with the right energy to stay focused and healthy. We know that federal nutrition programs like schools meals and SNAP work efficiently and effectively to reduce food insecurity statewide, and we are proud to work with state legislators and the Healey-Driscoll administration to ensure children are well-nourished each day in school and year-round. We are truly changing the health of a generation in Massachusetts.”
UMass President Marty Meehan:
“The Fair Share Amendment has made possible transformational investments from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature. The expansion of MassGrant Plus funding, along with the record $422 million in UMass-funded financial aid, was key in the university's ability to launch our free tuition program for in-state undergraduate students from households earning $75,000 or less. Fair Share has also enabled visionary proposals like the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s BRIGHT Act, which would provide much-needed capital investment in the Commonwealth’s public campuses, including UMass. This crucial funding would enable the university to renovate and repair buildings on our five campuses to provide our students and faculty with modern facilities they need and deserve while enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability.”
Vincent Pedone, Executive Director, Massachusetts State Universities Council of Presidents:
“Fair Share revenues have provided a critical and timely investment in our Massachusetts’ state universities and the public higher education system. These resources are giving our colleges and universities the means to tackle decades of deferred maintenance and expand support for student success. Paired with the BRIGHT Act, this sustained commitment ensures our public institutions remain safe, modern, and accessible engines of opportunity for communities across the Commonwealth.”
Nate Mackinnon, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges:
“Fair Share has helped to dramatically transform the fabric of our community colleges, boosting enrollment, modifying physical spaces, and fundamentally changing the trajectory of our students' lives. We are pleased and grateful that the Healey-Driscoll administration is making the impact known widely."