The Mass FY 2026 budget closes out with Gov Healy signature

Via Senate President Karen Spilka:

Today (June 30, 2025) , Speaker Mariano and I issued the following statement on the Legislature's FY26 Budget:

"We are incredibly proud of the agreement that was reached by the House and Senate on Friday. This is a budget that delivers for Massachusetts residents and reflects our shared commitment to spending taxpayer dollars responsibly.

This agreement incorporates many of the strongest proposals from both chambers, will make Massachusetts more affordable, and will protect our most vulnerable residents.

As President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to pursue devastating cuts to programs that millions of Americans rely on, we recognize the heightened importance of passing a fiscally responsible budget that invests in the areas that we value most.
This budget does exactly that.

We are deeply grateful to Chairs Rodrigues and Michlewitz, Vice Chairs Comerford and Ferrante, and the members of both chambers for their thoughtful work in delivering a timely and meaningful budget.

We look forward to sending it to the Governor’s desk on Monday."

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DLfs1DqttqZ/

Via Gov Maura Healey:

"Today (07/04/25), Governor Maura Healey signed the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) state budget, a $60.9 billion plan that is fiscally responsible, lowers costs, protects essential care and services, and moves the Massachusetts economy forward.  

To further control spending and protect taxpayer dollars, Governor Healey is vetoing $130 million, resulting in a final budget that is more than $1 billion less than the H1 proposal and $130 million less than the final conference budget. The administration is also continuing an Executive Branch hiring freeze, halting a planned non-union manager pay raise scheduled for January, saving $17 million, and delaying payment on earmarked funds for local projects in the budget totaling approximately $125 million until later in the year when more is understood about their affordability.

“I’m proud to sign a budget that is fiscally responsible and protects what makes Massachusetts special,” said Governor Healey. “I’m grateful to the Legislature for their strong partnership and efficient work to develop and pass this budget for the people we serve. In Massachusetts, we are continuing to lead and do what we know works – focusing on lowering costs, protecting essential care and services, and moving our economy forward by investing in housing, transportation and our schools. We are also signing this budget in a moment of great dysfunction in Washington. The President is poised to sign a bill that’s going to kick hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents off their health care, increase energy and groceries prices, and cost people their jobs.” 

The Mass FY 2026 budget closes out with Gov Healy signature

Gov Healey's press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-signs-609-billion-fiscal-year-2026-budget

The Governor’s signing letter, veto message, and returns available at this link ->

https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy26/ 

The formal parchment letter -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/fy26-budget-filing-letter-from-the-governor-and-lt-governor/download

FRANKLIN =  Chapter 70 - $30,460,643  Local Aid - $3,075,999

Note: The Chapter 70 amount is exactly the same as approved by the Town Council for the FY 2026 budget. The Local aid as approved by the Governor is $33,468.00 more than currently in the Franklin budget. The adjustment to the Franklin budget will occur later this year before the tax rate is set in Nov/Dec.

Mass Gov FY 2026 -> https://budget.digital.mass.gov/summary/fy26/local-aid/

Town of Franklin FY 2026 voting document ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/5882/FY26-Control-Sheet-and-Voting-Doc-OPTION-B

Boston Globe: "In re-filed bill, Healey takes second swing to allow cities and towns to raise taxes on hotels, meals, cars"

"Governor Maura Healey on Friday filed legislation geared toward cities and towns that would cement the option for hybrid public meetings, and allow local leaders to raise the tax rate on hotel stays, meals, and cars in their borders.

The sprawling proposal, which Healey previewed to municipal leaders at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s annual conference in Boston last week, mirrors parts of legislation that Healey filed a year ago, which died in the Legislature.

Among those provisions she’s reintroducing are three tax proposals that her administration last year estimated could collectively generate more than $150 million in new annual tax revenue for towns and cities.

Boston Globe: "In re-filed bill, Healey takes second
swing to allow cities and towns to
raise taxes on hotels, meals, cars"

They include a provision that would allow towns and cities to collect a 1 percent tax on meals in restaurants and local stores, up from the current 0.75 percent maximum. Healey’s bill would also create an option for cities and towns to charge an additional 5 percent on the motor vehicle excise fee residents pay."

Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required) ->

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/31/metro/healey-municipal-bill-taxes/

or 

Link to legislation document -> https://www.mass.gov/doc/healey-files-mea/download

Link to Gov Healey's press release -> https://www.mass.gov/news/healey-driscoll-administration-files-municipal-empowerment-bill-to-enhance-ability-of-local-leaders-to-deliver-high-quality-services-for-their-communities