Hampshire state senator files bill for more public higher education funding

BOSTON (WWLP) – First-year State Senator Jo Comerford filed her first bill in the legislature, calling for more public higher education funding.

The Cherish Act, proposed by Hampshire County State Senator Comerford is designed to re-invest in the state’s public colleges.

In 2014, The Higher Education Finance Commission found that, since 2001, state funding for public colleges declined more $4,000 per student.

“The Cherish act calls the state to go back to 2001 funding levels and invest an additional $500 million in community colleges and public higher education universities,” Senator Comerford said.

Senator Comerford’s bill is part of a larger statewide effort to increase the amount of money that the state spends on public education.

The Fund Our Future Coalition is working with both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature to change the state’s school funding formula.

The proposed bills are hoping to level the playing field between wealthy and under-served school districts.

The bipartisan- led effort is asking the Governor to re-invest 1 billion dollars in the state’s K-12 education system.

Senator Comerford’s bill is calling for $500 million on top of that for public higher education.

Governor Charlie Baker said he will be releasing his budget sometime next week, which will include his proposal for education funding.

Jordi Reed, WWLP22, January 16, 2019