Thanks to extensive advocacy efforts on the part of NSBA, MASC members and school board members across the country on August 5 the US Senate passed H.R. 1586 by a vote of 61 to 39, followed by the House on August 10. The legislation included the Education Jobs Fund ($10 billion) and an extension of increased Medicaid assistance to states.
The legislation will provide approximately $655 million to Massachusetts—$450 million in enhanced Medicaid (FMAP) reimbursements, which is $250 million less than the $700 million originally anticipated, and another $205 million in funding for education through a new education jobs fund, preserving approximately 2,400 teaching positions in the Commonwealth. For further analysis, go to www.massbudget.org
