The Cherish Act: Fully Funded Public Higher Ed

An Act committing to higher education the resources to insure a strong and healthy public higher education system - H.1260 - S.816

  • Allocates $600M new funding for our public higher education system

  • Establishes a fair minimum funding level per student to ensure funding keeps pace with enrollments

  • Freezes tuition and fees for five years to ensure higher ed is in reach of all students who want to attend

Most Americans, when polled, think that Higher education is receiving the same or more funding than it did in the past. But per pupil funding from the state is down 31% since 2001, and this is forcing public institutions to delay repairs, try to cut costs, and push higher tuition and fees on students who can ill afford them.

The Commission on Public Higher Education Finance issued a report in 2014 outlining this chronic underfunding, but our legislature hasn't taken major action. Every year, tiny increases in the state budget barely keep up for inflation, meanwhile students and educators pay the costs. Read more here.

the decision makers

Joint Committee on Higher Education

Who on committee has co-sponsored:

state senators:

Joanne Comerfordgreen check
Joanne Comerford (D)
Northampton

chair

Anne Gobired x
Anne Gobi (D)
Spencer

chair

Edward Kennedygreen check
Edward Kennedy (D)
Lowell
Paul Markgreen check
Paul Mark (D)
Peru
Pavel Payanogreen check
Pavel Payano (D)
Bruce Tarrred x
Bruce Tarr (R)
Gloucester

state representatives:

David Rogersred x
David Rogers (D)
Cambridge

chair

Carmine Gentilegreen check
Carmine Gentile (D)
Sudbury

chair

Ryan Hamiltongreen check
Ryan Hamilton (D)
Methuen
Sean Garballeygreen check
Sean Garballey (D)
Arlington
Rodney Elliottgreen check
Rodney Elliott (D)
Patricia Duffygreen check
Patricia Duffy (D)
Jennifer Arminigreen check
Jennifer Armini (D)
Rady Momgreen check
Rady Mom (D)
Lowell
Mindy Dombgreen check
Mindy Domb (D)
Amherst
Kelly Peasered x
Kelly Pease (R)
Marc Lombardored x
Marc Lombardo (R)
Billerica

Who has co-sponsored:

History of the bill

2025

Feb 2024

Reporting date extended to March 1, 2024

2024

Jan 2023

Bill re-introduced as H.1260/S.816

Jan 2023

No further action taken by House Ways and Means

Feb 2023

Referred to the Joint Committee on Higher Education

Sep 2023

Hearing held by the Joint Committee on Higher Education

2023

May 2022

House Rules Committee reported favorably and referred to House Ways and Means

Feb 2022

Reporting date extended to April 4, 2022

Apr 2022

New draft reported favorably by the Joint Committee on Higher Education as H.4694 and referred to the Rules Committee in each branch

2022

May 2021

Hearing held by the Joint Committee on Higher Education

Mar 2021

Referred to House Committee on Higher Education as H.1325

Jan 2021

Bill re-filed as HD.1224

2021

Dec 2020

Bill killed via study order

Nov 2020

Extension Order - committee allowed until Nov 20th to act, far too late to allow the bill to pass this session

2020

Jan 2019

Bill filed

Apr 2019

Committee Hearing - Joint Committee on Education

2019

Advocacy Organizations

Fund our Future
MTA
AFT MA