Sunday, May 3, 2026

State Representative Jeffrey Roy Announces Passing of House Budget FY 2027

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 – State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) secured key funding for Franklin and Medway when the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget this past week. Funded at $63.41billion, the House’s FY27 budget responds to the needs of residents, provides record support for the Commonwealth’s cities and towns, and among many critical investments, includes significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development.

“I’m pleased to have been able to deliver this local aid to the district that will improve the lives of my constituents,” said Representative Roy. “As times continue to be difficult for everyone, I’m thankful to Speaker Ron Mariano, Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and my colleagues in the House for passing this critical funding.”
House Budget FY 2027
House Budget FY 2027

“As a result of the Trump Administration’s sweeping federal funding cuts and reckless trade war, as well as two proposed ballot questions that seek to cut the Commonwealth’s revenues by more than $5 billion annually, this budget has come during a period of significant economic uncertainty. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of the investments that this budget makes despite those challenges, from funding for free school meals and for the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, to robust support for the MBTA, to nearly $10 billion for cities and towns across the Commonwealth,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and the Members of the House Committee on Ways and Means for all their work this budget cycle, as well as all my colleagues in the House for working to ensure that this budget delivers for every community across Massachusetts.” 

Due to responsible fiscal management, the House’s FY27 budget is balanced, and makes significant investments across several issue areas, without needing to include new taxes or tax increases. The House budget also strengthens the Stabilization Fund, which is set to reach $8.39 billion, reinforcing the state’s bond rating to keep borrowing costs down and save taxpayer money, while protecting the Commonwealth’s long-term fiscal health. 

Representative Roy’s local and statewide budget amendments include:

Franklin:
$100,000 to the Franklin Performing Arts Company
$100,000 to the SAFE Coalition
$50,000 to the Franklin Food Pantry
$25,000 to the Franklin Downtown Partnership
$25,000 to the Franklin Creative Center for the Arts

Medway:
$25,000 to the Medway Community Farm Agricultural Development Project
$25,000 to the Medway Food Pantry

Statewide:
$500,000 to the Genocide Education Trust Fund

The budget includes $10 billion in aid to cities and towns across the Commonwealth, a $477 million increase from the FY26 budget. This includes $2.7 billion for transportation and education initiatives supported through funding generated by the Fair Share ballot initiative that voters approved in November 2022, that established a surtax of 4-percent on annual income over $1 million.

Highlights of statewide FY27 budget investments include:
$1.33 billion in Unrestricted General Government Aid
$7.65 Billion in Chapter 70 education funding
$470 million for the MBTA
$623.6 million for childcare for low-income families
$15 million for Early College
$184.1 million for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services 
$258.6 million for the Emergency Assistance Shelter System

Speaker Mariano and the House Committee on Ways & Means introduced their FY27 budget proposal on April 15, 2026, following a review of the Governor’s proposal and a series of public hearings. 

The budget passed the House of Representatives 149-9 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

The full MA House of Representatives press release announcing this budget step can be found

Franklin TV: Our Tech To-Do List

It’s alive. It never ends. It just evolves.’

by Pete Fasciano, Executive Director 05/03/2026

The technology that keeps Franklin.TV and wfpr.fm perking along has grown over the years. It continues to grow. It will never-ever-ever stop growing. (Help!) There’s always something to fix, software to update, new widgets to install.

This week we began installing two teleprompter systems in our small studio. This project will wrap up when the additional parts arrive over the weekend. Once done, we begin preparing for graduations at Franklin High and Tri-County High. Next week we return to the Franklin High field and pressbox to restore HD video fiber line service from there back to our studio. How techno-geeky does it get?
Trace/test video fiber from the field via the school TV studio and from there to the MDF room and back to our studio.
Add an MD-HX HD video TSG (Test Signal Generator) in the Pressbox. Add/pre-configure a streaming video encoder in the Pressbox.
Validate digital router settings and fiber lines in the Panther TV studio.; Validate return video test feed from our studio to Panther TV and Pressbox.
We move on to Town Hall Chambers for updates.
Add an MD-HX HD video TSG (Test Signal Generator) in the control room. Add a mechanical A/B program backup switch.
Recalibrate all microphone and line audio levels. 
Install 2 NIST internet clocks.
In the Town Hall 3rd Floor Training Room video system
Add 2 small video displays next to ceiling cameras 2 and 4.
Add an MD-HX HD video TSG (Test Signal Generator) in the control system. Recalibrate all microphone and line audio levels. Add SDI audio embedder. Fix 3 stand mics w/ XLR adapters.
July: Town Hall Chambers - install new 100-inch HDTV display behind the dais..
Run 3 HDMI fiber lines from all desks.
Then we install new digital signage systems in 4-5 locations.

And – other tech stuff will emerge before all of the above is completed. And – by now you’re probably asleep reading my our techy To-Do li-zzzzzz.

Just read it again when it’s time to retire for the night. (No need to thank me.)

And – as always –
Thank you for watching.
Thanks for listening to wfpr●fm, 
and staying informed at Franklin●news

 

Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 


Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA
Watch Listen Read all things that matter in Franklin MA

Joe Landry to share the video "Faces In The Crowd" - Weds, May 6 at the Senior Center

Joe Landry to share the video "Faces In The Crowd" - Weds, May 6 at the Senior Center
Joe Landry to share the video "Faces In The Crowd" -
Weds, May 6 at the Senior Center

Come to the Franklin Senior Center on Wednesday, May 6 at 1:00 to see the video "Faces In The Crowd".

It was taken during the 1978 Bicentennial parade that year.

It is always well-received and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.




Celebrate 11 years with La Cantina Winery

"11 YEARS & COUNTING! 

Come celebrate with us at La Cantina Winery as we mark 11 incredible years of great wine, amazing food, and unforgettable memories 

Live Music All Day:
  • Matt Zajac 12–3 PM
  • The Cowpunks 4–7 PM
  • Rowboat 8–11 PM
Bring your friends, raise a glass, and be part of the celebration 🥂
We couldn’t have done it without you!

Saturday, May 16 - Open 12–11 PM

Let’s celebrate together"


Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14
Franklin Fathers schedule the Inaugural
Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament - June 14

"Take us out to the Ballgame!

We’re thrilled to announce we’ve opened team registrations for the Inaugural Eddie Grant Kickball Tournament, a family-friendly event coming to Beaver Pond on Sunday, June 14th!

We’ll be posting more about Eddie’s incredible story, our fundraising efforts, and our wonderfully gracious community partners soon, but we’d love to have you join us.

Scan the QR code or find the registration link ->   https://forms.gle/LqbaRKZz3kHYKZ9D7!"

#community 
#franklinma



FHS Class of 1976 Reunion Tickets

"Please let any one you know who graduated in 1976 that our 50th Class Reunion tickets and info can be found here: https://fhs-class-of-76.org/fhs-class-of-76-page?"



Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday, May 3, 2026

Yes, Franklin has it's own radio station -> wfpr.fmFranklin Public Radio has a schedule full of the locally produced shows that fill our air waves. 

It is available anywhere, anytime at wfpr.fm or in the local Franklin, MA area at 102.9 on the FM dial.

Tune in to listen to the following:
 
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday


Get this week's program guide for Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) online  http://franklin.tv/programguide.pdf 

Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday
Franklin Public Radio - wfpr.fm schedule for Sunday