Season 2-Episode 3: Status Update on School Funding with AFT-MA's Dan Murphy
Last January, education activists across Massachusetts renewed efforts to implore the Massachusetts Legislature to (finally) address the 25-year old school funding formulas that allow all students across Massachusetts to receive and adequate and equitable education no matter the socio-economics of their community.
Throughout the spring, educators, parents, community members, and even students, strongly advocated for this long-overdue update to school funding. Many of our Legislators heard this plea and responded positively by supporting the Promise Act, the proposal that most adequately addresses the needs of students across the Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the legislation that would ultimately update school funding continues to be stuck in Committee and was not acted upon before the Massachusetts Legislature left for their summer break.
Today, we are speaking with Dan Murphy, AFT-MA Director of Education Policy, about the status of the Promise Act, some new movement toward improving funding for this school year, and what we as citizens and education advocates can do to ensure that the Legislature takes up school funding and, in particular, enacts the Promise Act, when they reconvene in the Fall.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Fund our Future, the coalition heading up state-wide efforts to enact the Promise Act, has compiled information about the Promise Act and the higher-education component, the Cherish Act. Get the Facts about this legislation and find out whether or not your state legislators support it by clicking on this link.
If you live or work in Lowell, we’d ask you to contact our local delegation:
THANK Senator Ed Kennedy for Supporting the Promise Act
THANK Representative Rady Mom for Supporting the Promise Act
ASK Representative David Nangle to Support the Promise Act
ASK Representative Tom Golden to Support the Promise Act
To find contact information for legislators outside of Lowell, use FindMyLegislator to find out who they are.
Thank you for tuning in to this Episode of Straight Talk. We are grateful to AFT-MA Director of Education Policy, Dan Murphy, for taking the time to speak with us today. School funding and in particular updating the funding outdated school funding formula continues to be an issue that impacts all of us regardless of school district. We encourage listeners to contact state legislators over the next few weeks so that the legislation our students, schools, and families so desperately need, is enacted..
We hope that if you enjoy what you hear, you’ll consider subscribing to our podcast using Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. As always, we welcome your general comments and feedback. If you have suggestions for future podcast topics or if you are aware of a UTL495 member who might be willing to share experiences or expertise, send us an email at utlstraighttalk@gmail.com.
