Amherst Will Get Extra $383,000 for Road Repairs from “Millionaires’ Tax”

Amherst will receive $383,386 in extra funding from the state in 2024 for road repairs in the first disbursement of funds from the Fair Share Amendment.  

The Fair Share Amendment, more popularly known as the “millionaires’ tax”, was incorporated into the state constitution following a statewide referendum in November of 2022, when voters narrowly approved a 4% surtax on incomes over $1 million, with the proceeds going to cities and towns to fund public education and transportation. The amendment is expected to generate over $1.5 billion in revenue in 2024, exceeding the original expectations of about $1 billion for the first year.  The first $100 million went out to cities and towns just prior to the holidays, part of the first billion dollars to be spent on transportation infrastructure, tuition-free community college for those 25 years of age and older, universal meals for every student, and more for school buildings and early education projects.

Critics of the amendment  have argued that the tax is pushing more people out of Massachusetts, with the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation reporting that the the rate of people leaving Massachusetts is at its highest point in 30 years. But the Massachusetts Teachers Association, a major sponsor of the amendment, disputes that conclusion, saying in a recent email to members that, “Multimillionaires and billionaires are not fleeing the state – they stay for so many reasons, including the outstanding education you provide.” They added, “We are seeing Fair Share revenues flow in at the rate we predicted, exceeding what legislators allocated.”

Good for Massachusetts
Andrew Farnitano, spokesperson for the Raise Up Massachusetts Coalition told WBUR that the tax is good for Massachusetts. “The investments are only possible because the voters passed this constitutional amendment, and we created this new tax,” he said. “Those are fundamental investments in our economy that are needed to make sure it works for everyone,” he added.

Good for Amherst
In Amherst, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Amy Rusiecki, welcomed the windfall in the face of a massive town backlog in road repairs. She told the Daily Hampshire Gazette, “When we get the additional funds, that allows us to look at smaller neighborhoods (with) the roads that are less traveled and may not impact as many people, but still need repairs as well.”

What Will The Money Fund?
Roughly $1.5 billion in fair share disbursements are expected for 2024 and over $2 billion are expected in the coming years. Raise Up Massachusetts, the organizer of the fair share campaign, predicts that the first $1 billion of fair share funds will be spent as follows:

$150 million for construction projects and green infrastructure in public schools, from kindergarten through 12th grade

$69 million to give every child free school meals, saving families hundreds of dollars a year.

$205.8 million for MBTA infrastructure, including repairs, maintenance, and improvements.

$90 million for regional transit authorities, including expanded service hours, route expansions, and making fares free.

$109 million for financial aid to students at public colleges

$50 million for tuition-free community college

$150 million for the construction and repair of roads and bridges across the state

$70.5 million to expand access to high-quality childcare and pre-K to more children and families

Additional Reports About the Fair Share Amendment Disbursements 
Common Dreams
WBUR
Daily Hampshire Gazette