Council unanimously asks manager to ask state to set aside $200 million from Fair Share Act for public higher education

The Lowell City Council on Sept. 23 voted to request that the city manager send a letter to the state delegation and the governor asking that $200 million be set aside from revenues generated by the Fair Share Act to support public higher education.

Stacy Haggis, who identified herself as a longtime Middlesex Community College educator, told the council that community college faculty and staff are underpaid and that the colleges lack the resources needed to sustain expanded programs. She urged the council to back a request that the legislature set aside $200 million of the more than $2 billion estimated to be generated by the Fair Share surtax to stabilize funding for institutions that serve students across the state.

Council discussion and vote. Several councilors — including Councilor Gaethje and others who spoke in favor during the meeting — supported the motion, noting the economic and social benefits of local higher‑education institutions for Lowell. One councilor recused himself from the discussion because his spouse works in the community college system; the remainder voted in favor and the motion passed on voice vote.

Why it matters: The letter asks state officials to designate a specific portion of revenue from a statewide surtax for higher education, which the speakers urged would help retain faculty, increase pay and support student access in Lowell and other cities.

Next steps: The city manager was directed to send the letter to the governor and the local delegation as requested. The council did not attach conditions or set a timeline for a return report; the motion was recorded as a council instruction to administration.

Ending: The request represents a local endorsement of state action to direct a portion of Fair Share Act revenue to support community colleges and other public higher education institutions.