Published on February 08, 2026
Act now: email or call your state representative and senator and demand they support Governor Healey's DRIVE Act (H.4375) to keep Massachusetts' higher education strong, independent, and leading the nation.
Sample letter:
Dear (your state legislator) (Go HERE to locate your MA state legislator)
I'm writing to encourage your support for Governor Healey's DRIVE Act (H.4375, An Act to preserve and advance Massachusetts' competitiveness in discovery, research, and innovation for a vibrant economy). This groundbreaking legislation would make Massachusetts the first state to respond to the Trump Administration's politically motivated cuts to higher education. The DRIVE Act proposes a $400 million investment, including $200 million from the Fair Fund Share Amendment, specifically designated to replace lost federal funding for public colleges and universities. Passing this bill would:
Create a financial safeguard to protect research, discovery, and innovation in our public higher education institutions from reliance on federal dollars, allowing Massachusetts to remain a global leader in healthcare, innovation, and life-saving discoveries.
Ensure public colleges and universities in Massachusetts remain affordable for everyone.
Provide competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain the talented faculty and staff essential to maintaining high-quality education.
Develop a highly skilled workforce to drive the state's economy forward.
Please vote in favor of the DRIVE Act when it comes up and encourage your colleagues to do the same by expressing your support directly to them. The Massachusetts Teacher Association supports this bill and you should too.
Sincerely,
Your name, street address, town & zipcode
Sample Call:
"Hi, my name is [Name], and I'm your constituent in [Town], calling to urge you to support Governor Healey's DRIVE ACT: H.4375.
The DRIVE ACT would make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to counter the Trump Administration's higher education cuts. It invests $400 million - 200 million from Fair Fund Amendment Funds - to offset federal cuts to public colleges and universities.
Passing this Act will help keep our higher education strong and independent, ensuring our state remains a leader in education, research and innovation.
Please vote to support the Drive Act when it comes up, and urge your colleagues to do the same by voicing your support directly to them. The Massachusetts Teacher Association supports this bill and you should, too.