Earlier today, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate passed a supplemental budget that included the Protect Education Equity bill, which The Arc proudly endorsed. As rights and protections for students with disabilities and immigrant students continue to be threatened and rolled back at the federal level, this bill codifies critical protections for these students in the Commonwealth.
As part of the Protect Education Equity Coalition, The Arc team participated in a State House advocacy day and coordinated an action alert to help raise awareness about the urgency of passing this bill. Thank you to the nearly 400 people who contacted their legislators!
A massive thank you to Massachusetts Advocates for Children who led this coalition, and to legislative champions Representative Alice Peisch, Representative Frank Moran, Senator Pavel Payano, Education Committee Chairs Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Ken Gordon, Ways & Means Chairs Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Senator Michael Rodrigues, and Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka.
Today’s passage is proof that we are stronger together. Our collective advocacy matters, stories matter, relationships matter, and Massachusetts stands up for our most vulnerable students. Onward!
