Even in times of economic uncertainty, some investments are worthwhile, says Senate President Karen Spilka.

That was the message Spilka shared Monday after appearing at Middlesex Community College's Lowell campus to announce the upper chamber's plan to provide a free college education to every Massachusetts resident who wants one make possible.

“We have the money and not investing now would be an unfortunate situation for the community. Everyone is talking about outmigration – people moving away – the need to be more affordable, more competitive and more equitable, those are the three biggest words we all hear wherever we go across the state,” Spilka said.

The plan proposed by the Senate President along with Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues and Senate Higher Education Chairman Jo Comerford would spend $75.5 million to do just that, Spilka said Free education – that is, fully paid tuition and fees – is offered at the state's 15 community college campuses. Students earning less than 125% of the state median income would also receive $1,200 each year for books and supplies.

The Senate's plan builds on a program already in place in the Bay State called MassReconnect, which allows students 25 and older to attend community college for free if they don't yet have a degree.

Phil Sisson, the president of Middlesex Community College, said there are already students taking advantage of the program and pursuing a degree from his school.

If the Senate's new plan — they're calling it “MassEducate” — makes it through budget negotiations starting this fall, Middlesex's remaining roughly 7,500 paying students could see their tuition drop to zero, and the same goes for the other 80,000-plus students taking courses at a community college across the state.

“MassReconnect has been a results-driven policy from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that has been a powerful catalyst, bringing over a thousand adults over the age of 25 to our Lowell and Bedford campuses in Middlesex to continue their education since it went into effect last August. Now, all of our campuses look forward to welcoming and supporting all future students who will be able to utilize MassEducate as this latest groundbreaking program takes effect,” said Sisson.

One of those students is Jose Cervantes, a bricklayer from Lowell.

Cervantes said the program is “a huge deal” for working parents like him who never thought college was an option. The 38-year-old says he was brought to the US by his mother when he was two. After high school, he said, he immediately started working 60 hours a week to make ends meet, and he's been at it 21 years since.

He's not afraid of hard work – he showed it by holding up his calloused hands and still showing the signs of working through Sunday night – but in his business you can only go so far without a certain amount of schooling complete, he said. Cervantes said that while he does his job well, he “has a ceiling.” There’s only so much money you can make before you have to become the big boss.”

Cervantes said MassReconnect and MassEducate are a big “thank you” to the workers like him who kept the economy running during the pandemic, effectively putting already struggling families on a path to college. Spilka said Cervantes was a clear indicator that if you opened the door, people would walk through.

“The MassReconnect proves that it works. The foster program added by the Senate proves it works,” she said. “Massachusetts desperately needs workers. These students will remain in Massachusetts, we are crazy not to utilize their skills, abilities and passions.”

The Senate's education plan is part of its 2025 budget, full details of which will be announced this Tuesday.