Statement from the Massachusetts Vocational Technical Coalition • published May 5, 2026

With the Massachusetts Senate budget session set to begin, the Coalition is closely monitoring the schedule and tracking critical budget amendments.

Our priority remains securing the inclusion of Amendment 1580, Vocational Admissions Reform sponsored by Ken Sweezey and The Vocational Task Force Bill, sponsored by Frank A. Moran and Adam J. Scanlon.

We believe it is vital for the Senate to support this Reform and a Task Force that will study real data with the right stakeholders at the table to ensure the future of vocational education is built on transparency and equity.

Progress on Beacon Hill

Our efforts in the Senate build upon the incredible momentum we’ve seen in the House. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to State Representative Ken Sweezey of Duxbury. His advocacy on the House floor was instrumental in the fight to reform the vocational lottery admissions mandate—a policy implemented in Fall 2025 following the Board of Education's vote in May 2025.

Our collective impact is already yielding results. During the week of April 13th, we successfully collected over 4,000 signatures from more than 250 cities and towns across Massachusetts in less than five days.

A Call to Action

We ask our supporters to remain engaged and patient. We are currently in the "early innings" of a legislative process that requires significant endurance and a long-term commitment.

To the tradespeople and the emerging talent who represent the future of our workforce: We need your voice. We call on you to join us in advocating for a return to merit-based admissions policies. These policies must reward hard work and technical aptitude, ensuring that every applicant is considered as an individual—not just a lottery number.

How You Can Help:

• Advocate: Discuss our mission with your local community, colleagues, and elected officials.

• Grow the Movement: Share our Website and Facebook page to help expand our reach and influence.

• Stay Informed: We are committed to continuing to provide you with the timely updates and tools necessary to take direct action.

Together, we will continue to grow this Coalition and ensure our voices are heard everywhere they need to be—especially on Beacon Hill.