Lawmakers Halve Funding in Healey’s $400 Million University Bill

Governor Maura Healey’s ambitious DRIVE bill, intended to bolster the state’s research universities, has encountered significant cuts as lawmakers reduce the proposed funding from $400 million to $200 million. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions within the Massachusetts Legislature’s economic development committee, co-chaired by Representative Carole Fiola and Senator Barry Finegold.

Polling among committee members began on Thursday and is set to conclude on Monday. Typically, it is uncommon for the majority of committee members to oppose their co-chairs, suggesting that the revised proposal is likely to gain traction. The DRIVE bill, formally known as the “Discovery, Research & Innovation in a Vibrant Economy” initiative, was first introduced last summer to shield local universities from federal cuts in research funding.

Under the original proposal, half of the funding was designated for private universities and nonprofit institutions. However, state legislators have opted to prioritize funding for UMass Chan Medical School and other public universities exclusively. The revised $200 million allocation is set to be sourced from interest accrued on the state’s rainy day fund.

Initially, Healey had suggested an allocation of $200 million from the so-called millionaires tax for public universities, alongside an equal amount derived from rainy-day fund interest for private institutions. The decision to redirect private funding to support public universities reflects the current fiscal realities facing the state.

In a joint statement, Fiola and Finegold characterized the $200 million investment as a “short-term stop gap measure” aimed at safeguarding vital research at UMass Chan. This research includes critical studies related to diabetes, ALS, and Alzheimer’s disease. They emphasized the need for the committee to explore additional support mechanisms for private universities in the future.

The committee’s adjustments to the original proposal highlight the ongoing challenges state lawmakers face in balancing budgetary constraints with the need for robust funding in higher education. The focus on public institutions underscores a growing trend to prioritize state-funded education amid broader fiscal pressures.

As discussions continue, the outcome of this legislative session could have lasting implications for the state’s research landscape and its ability to attract and retain talent in crucial fields. For further inquiries, Jon Chesto can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @jonchesto.