Salem City Council urges $200 million for public higher education; adopts DRIVE/education resolution

The Salem City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday urging the Massachusetts Legislature and governor to set aside $200,000,000 from Fair Share Act revenues to stabilize funding for community colleges, state universities and the UMass system. Councilor Cohen moved adoption by roll call; the motion passed 11-0.

Advocates and local academics urged the council to act in public comment before the vote. Ella Kumbacher, a student at UMass Amherst, told the council that reduced state and federal support means "students are emptying out their savings accounts" and often split their attention between jobs and classes. Henry Morgan, executive director of Phenom, said the measure would protect "a future and opportunity for those who didn't come from a particularly wealthy family." Nicholas Jones, a Salem State first-year student, described relying on Pell and other federal aid and urged the council to support the resolution so the city can remain "a leader in education and opportunity for all." Joanna Gonzales, a Salem State psychology professor and faculty leader, and Thomas Pineda Shields, director of the North Shore Policy Lab, described how public-university research and community partnerships benefit Salem. Catherine Fahey, a Salem State librarian and alum, highlighted Salem State's role in social mobility and cited rankings showing the university's relative strength.

The text adopted by the council references the Fair Share surtax (often called the Fair Share Act) and a proposed state initiative referred in public discussion as the DRIVE Act (Discovery, Research and Innovation in the Vibrant Economy), and asks the governor and legislature to allocate $200 million toward higher education from Fair Share revenues. The resolution also urges strategic increases in state funding to reduce reliance on tuition, grants and privatization and asks the city clerk to send the adopted resolution to Governor Healey, the lieutenant governor, the state legislative leadership, relevant committees and other listed officials.

Councilor Cohen framed the resolution as the local expression of support for state-level action, noting the DRIVE Act language and thanking local students and faculty who testified. The council did not appropriate city funds; the resolution is a formal expression of support and a request to state leaders.

The motion for adoption was moved by Councilor Cohen and carried by roll call with 11 votes in favor and none opposed. The council recorded no amendments to the resolution during the debate.

The council directed the city clerk to transmit the adopted resolution to the governor, legislative leaders and the listed committees, as specified in the resolution text.