In our look back at news of the week, UMass trustees have announced a 2.5% tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students.
The vote had been postponed this year as UMass officials waited for the late state budget to be approved.
The increase is similar to one last year — and it’ll bring consequences, said UMass Amherst alum Zac Bears. He runs PHENOM, an organization that advocates for debt-free public college.
“Students are going to drop out, or they’re going to not be able to buy a textbook, or they’re going to have to work another job,” Bears told NEPR.
Massachusetts lawmakers did give UMass a funding increase at $558 million, but also said the school has to figure out how to cut costs.
Panelist Dave Eisenstadter recalled a multi-year UMass tuition freeze “not that long ago.”
“The state university system needs to be adequately funded, and this constant increase of tuition is just not acceptable," he said.
“I guess I’ve grown a little used to the annual increases,” said panelist Kristin Palpini. “I mean, they should come with an increase in financial aid. If they don’t, that is untenable. But I think the issue is if UMass is going to start balancing its budget, and going to be able to keep the costs down, they’ve got to stop building these gorgeous buildings. They can do it a little cheaper.”
Also this week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a $43.3 billion state budget a month late. Surprisingly, it’s the first time in five budgets he didn't slash any legislative spending.
“We’re going to obviously pay a lot of attention to what happens with revenue in the first two quarters of the year,” Baker said this week. “Because we did have a lot of volatility in the revenue base in 2019. Part of the reason why there aren’t any money vetoes is because this budget’s balanced.”
Some conservatives, including the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, are not happy with the budget.
Also this week, in Connecticut, a 10-cent fee for single-use plastic bags went into effect, to be followed by a ban in 2021.
Amanda Schoen with the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters said the fee is a start.
“What we’d like to see people moving towards is canvas bags, or thicker bags, things that are going to last them longer and not end up in our landfills, or in our waterways, in our parks, as litter,” Schoen told NEPR.
The Valley Advocate has a story this week about an attempt to ban plastic straws in Northampton. The story shed light on people who rely on straws for nutrition.
And Berkshire County lawmakers this week said they oppose any plan for east-west rail passenger service that leaves out their county. Of six options the state is considering (PDF), three show train service ending in Springfield, with only bus connections to the Berkshires.
State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, a Lenox Democrat, told NEPR it’s hard to defend Boston when these kinds of things happen.
“A lot of my friends and family and constituents will say, oh, once again, Boston is ignoring the Berkshires,” he said.
A rail study committee plans to have its options narrowed down to three later this year.
Guests:
- Dave Eisenstadter, managing editor, Valley Advocate
- Kristin Palpini, lifestyles editor, The Berkshire Eagle
Heather Brandon contributed to this report, which includes information from State House News Service.
