Click on the links to learn more about these legislative priorities:
1.REINVEST IN PUBLIC PREK-12 EDUCATION
A Fair Share of the Fair Share Amendment for preK-12 Education
The MTA will support the allocation of FSA funds in the FY24 state budget and other spending bills for preK-12 education above and beyond Student Opportunity Act funding,
FSA funds would be required to support:
- Achieving living wages for ESPs.
- Creating a state fund to incentivize paid family and medical leave for public school educators
- Funding to provide a professional nurse and librarian in every school
- Support for recruiting and retaining a diverse education workforce
- Significant increases in the number of counselors and mental health professionals available to our students
- Implementing elements of a community schools model
MTA will continue to advocate for expanding the “Tomorrow’s Educators” scholarships we won last session to support diversity among future educators.
2.END THE HIGH-STAKES TESTING REGIME
THE THRIVE ACT
An Act empowering students and schools to thrive
Lead Sponsors: Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senator Adam Gomez (D-Springfield), Senator Liz Miranda (D-Boston), Representative Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro) and Representative Sam Montaño (D-Boston)
This bill eliminates the high-stakes components of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), including the graduation exam requirement and receiverships.
Senate Bill | House Bill | Fact Sheet | Take Action
3.THE RIGHT TO STRIKE FOR PUBLIC WORKERS
An Act uplifting families and securing the right to strike for certain public employees
Lead Sponsors: Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), Representative Mike Connolly (D-Cambridge) and Representative Erika Uyterhoeven (D-Somerville)
This bill allows educators and other public employees, except for public safety personnel, to legally strike after six months of failed negotiations with their employer.
Senate Bill | House Bill | Fact Sheet | Take Action
4.ENSURING A DIGNIFIED RETIREMENT
An Act to provide fair and affordable public retiree benefits
Lead Sponsors: Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) and Representative Dan Donahue (D-Worcester)
This bill ensures greater economic security for retired educators, including by increasing the base on which the annual state and teacher pension COLA is calculated.
Senate Bill | House Bill | Fact Sheet | Take Action
- REINVEST IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION
THE CHERISH ACT
An Act committing to higher education the resources to insure a strong and healthy public higher education system
Lead Sponsors: Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester), Senator Paul Mark (D-Becket), Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow), Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington) and Representative Pat Duffy (D-Holyoke)
This bill creates a framework for adequate public higher education funding levels, including expanded support for student services; ensures debt-free public higher education for all; improves wages and working conditions for faculty and staff, including benefits for adjunct faculty and part time staff; and invests in green and healthy public college and university buildings.
Senate Bill | House Bill | Fact Sheet | Take Action