Massachusetts Teachers Association wants another tax on ‘richest 1%’ to fund free college

Massachusetts’ largest teachers’ union wants the state to adopt a constitutional amendment to tax the “wealth of the richest 1%” to pay for free public college.

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) said in a recent release it would build on the state’s 2022 “Fair Share Amendment,” which taxes income over $1 million at 9%, rather than the state’s flat 5% rate on income below $1 million.

“Our state Constitution guarantees the right to an appropriate public education, which has been interpreted by the courts to mean kindergarten through grade 12,” MTA President Max Page said in the release. “That right must be expanded to include preK and public college to be meaningful in the 21st century.”

“If we are serious about social and economic justice and nurturing a culturally rich and welcoming state of involved citizens, we will provide all residents with the best vehicle for a prosperous future – public education,” he added.

The MTA hasn’t yet explained the specifics of its tax increase proposal, but it argued taxing high earners has already helped the state.

“Massachusetts has more millionaires – and they are wealthier – than before voters passed a constitutional amendment to place a 4% tax on income above $1 million,” Page said. “Fair Share has made our state a more attractive place to live by investing in the foundations of a prosperous Commonwealth.”

The right-leaning NewBostonPost’s editorial board slammed the proposal, arguing increased taxes on the wealthy would lead to a flight of capital from the state.

“When you tax something, you get less of it – in this case, less money for rich people, which results in less savings, less investment, and ultimately fewer jobs and fewer opportunities for the rest of us,” the editorial board wrote.

“You might also eventually get fewer rich people, who can take their cash and their other assets to more hospitable climates for wealth, like New Hampshire or Florida. So a bad situation becomes worse – and eventually unsustainable.”

The MTA’s proposal is similar to one from New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. He supports a flat 2% city income tax on those earning over $1 million annually to help pay for free public services, including tuition-free City University of New York (CUNY) schools, according to Campus Reform. The city already taxes all income at a rate of over 3%, in addition to the state’s income tax.

Massachusetts already offers free community college, including for illegal immigrants. It also gives in-state tuition to illegal immigrants at four-year colleges.