Hildreth Institute Provides Testimony on House Bill 55: An Act Making Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025
Dear Chair Michlewitz, Chair Rodriques, and Members of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means:
I am Dr. Bahar Akman Imboden, Managing Director of Hildreth Institute, a nonprofit research and policy center dedicated to advancing student-centered, evidence-based strategies for expanding access, success, and degree value in higher education. We appreciate the opportunity to submit testimony regarding House Bill 55, An Act Making Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), which allocates $1.32 billion in excess income surtax collections from Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024.
Fair Share Mandate and Higher Education Funding
The Fair Share Amendment was designed to ensure additional revenue would be directed toward quality public education and affordable public colleges and universities, along with infrastructure improvements. By explicitly distinguishing between public education and public colleges and universities, the amendment acknowledges the constitutional commitment to invest directly in higher education.
Despite this, House Bill 55 allocates zero dollars of the excess surtax revenue to higher education. Coupled with the FY26 budget, this results in only 10% of surtax revenue being directed to public higher education—well below the 25% to 33% recommended by the Board of Higher Education.
Changing Political and Economic Realities
The political and economic landscape has evolved since these excess revenues were originally allocated. With potential federal funding shortfalls, Massachusetts must proactively prepare to support students who may lose access to essential basic needs programs such as food assistance and healthcare. Recent investments have been a critical step forward—but we can't afford to stop there. Now is the time to rethink how we deploy surtax revenues to build resilient support systems that help students stay enrolled, complete their education without disruption, and protect the hard-won gains we've made in increasing enrollment.
Recommended Investments
To fulfill the constitutional intent of the Fair Share Amendment and address urgent student needs, we urge the Committee to allocate a portion of the $1.32 billion in excess surtax revenue to the following initiatives:
Massachusetts Hunger-Free Campus Coalition (HFCC): Combating food insecurity on college campuses is essential for supporting student persistence and success. Ensuring that no student goes hungry is fundamental to maintaining educational attainment.
Emergency Student Aid for Basic Needs Fund: Creating a dedicated fund to assist students facing sudden financial hardship will help those at risk of dropping out due to economic challenges. Providing timely micro-grants can drastically reduce non-completion rates and improve graduation outcomes.
With the changing political context and heightened economic uncertainties, it is more important than ever to invest in higher education. Ensuring that funds are directed toward supporting basic needs and preventing non-completion will strengthen the long-term affordability, quality, and accessibility of public colleges and universities.
Thank you for considering this testimony. We strongly recommend amending House Bill 55 to include these critical supports for higher education, aligned with the constitutional directive and the broader goals of economic growth and educational equity.
Respectfully,
Dr. Bahar Akman Imboden
Managing Director, Hildreth Institute
Hildreth Institute
100 Belvidere Street #10E.