Resolution Supporting H.1339/S.829 An Act to Guarantee Debt-Free Public Higher Education. On motion of Councilor Mejia, the rules were suspended; the resolution was adopted.
Thank you very much, councilman here. DUCAT 0600 shall remain in the Committee on Government Operations, but motions, orders and resolutions. Madam Clerk, would you please read Docket 1135? Serve me docket 1135. Councilor offered the following resolution supporting House Bill 1339 and Senate Bill 829, an act to guarantee debt free public higher education. Thank you, Madam Clerk. The chair now recognizes the At-Large Council from Dorchester Councilor Julian. Here, the floor is yours. All right. Today's my day was the last one. So thank you, Mr. President. Earlier this year, our body passed a resolution urging the Biden administration to cancel all student debt within their first 100 days in office. Sadly, as anyone burdened with the weight of student debt will tell you, that has not happened. However, thanks to thanks largely to the advocates of the community organizations and advocacy groups such as Zero Debt, Massachusetts and film efforts are underway in our State House to work towards addressing debt free public higher education. 8.1339.8.829. An Act to guarantee debt free public higher education submitted by Rep Higgins and Senator Eldridge is a systemic solution to the crisis of college unaffordability and student loan debt, which will guarantee tuition and fees free public college. It will also award additional cost of living, grant money to low income families to eliminate the need to borrow for housing, transportation, childcare, etc.. This is an incredibly impactful legislation, especially since Boston is home to UMass Boston, the city's only public research university and the third most diverse campus in the United States. UMass Boston is also a school where students are being saddled with debt that impacts their daily lives. Having access to debt free school in Boston would be an amazing opportunity for students who want to go to college but are afraid of taking on a lifelong debt. For those reasons, I move that we suspend and pass the rules to pass this resolution. Thank you for asking me here. Would any other councilors wish to speak on Docket 1135? Would any councilors wish to add their name as a co-sponsor to Docket 1135? Madam Clerk, please add Councilors Arroyo, Baker, Balk Parade and Campbell Edwards aside be George Flaherty Flynn please add the chair. Please add Councilor Will and Councilor me here seek suspension of the rules and adoption of Docket 1135. All those in favor please indicate by saying I oppose nay, the ayes have it. The the docket is hereby adopted. The resolution is hereby adopted. Thank you very much. We're now moving on to late files and I am informed by the clerk that there is one late file matter which is a personnel order. All those in favor of adding the file matter to the agenda please indicate by saying I oppose. Nay, the ayes have it. Thank you. To file matter has been duly added to the agenda. And Madam Clerk, would you please read the late file matter into the record? Certainly. In the City Council. Oct 27, 2021. Councilor O'Malley for Councilor Edward.