Massachusetts Dems at odds over transport and education funds.

It’s a battle of the budgets in Massachusetts as Democrats clash over how to spend $1 billion in additional revenue from the state’s new “millionaire’s tax.” Governor Maura Healey and the state’s House of Representatives have proposed two different plans, and the House is expected to debate the new budget next week.

Healey’s plan would distribute the funding in a 51-49 divide between the state’s education initiatives and its transportation projects. However, the plan released by state House Democrats proposed giving an equal 50/50 distribution between the two.

But that’s not all. The Massachusetts House budget includes some exciting initiatives, such as allowing the state lottery to sell tickets and games online, with revenue from online lottery sales funding stabilizing grants for childcare providers. There’s also $700 million going towards environment and climate-related initiatives, representing 1.25% of the total budget. And let’s not forget about the return of a COVID-19 policy that paused eviction cases for tenants with pending applications for emergency rental assistance.

But perhaps the most exciting component of the Massachusetts House budget is the $500 million for education, which includes $161 million for universal school meals, $100 million for the installation and maintenance of “clean energy” infrastructure projects in schools, and $50 million for scholarships for Massachusetts students pursuing “high demand” employment. They would have to agree to work in their field of study for at least five years.

Under Healey’s budget, the state would also implement what the administration called a “tuition or fee lock” for the in-state University of Massachusetts and state university undergraduates, which would force the schools to charge students the same rate for all four years they attend.

On the transportation side, Healey’s plan designates $181 million in capital investments for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, $12.5 million to improve stations and facilitate East-West rail service, and $5 million to study means-tested fares. The state House budget keeps the $5 million but ditches the station improvements. Another $100 million would go to highway bridge repairs, according to the Associated Press.

There is also $68 million budgeted for the Early Education grant programs and $65 million for free school meals. Democratic state House Speaker Ron Mariano, a former teacher, pushed for universal school meals, which would make Massachusetts the fifth state to guarantee free meals at public schools.

The budget will now go to a state House vote on Monday and then to the state senate. Both chambers must agree on the budget before it can be sent to the governor’s desk for her signature. The chambers have until July 1 to present a unified budget.

Exciting times in Massachusetts! To read more about the state’s budget plans, click here.