State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy Announces Passing of House Budget

Investments Made Supporting Franklin and Medway

State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D-Franklin) announced key victories for Franklin, Medway, and the Commonwealth in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) House budget, a $61.47 billion spending plan focused on economic opportunity, education, housing, and transportation passed without new taxes. Representative Roy successfully advocated for targeted local investments and critical statewide initiatives through a series of budget amendments.

State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy
Announces Passing of House Budget

"I was proud once again to deliver local aid to Franklin and Medway that will improve the lives of my constituents," said Representative Roy. "In these difficult times, I am grateful for the leadership of Speaker Ron Mariano and Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for making it all happen.

"The House's FY26 budget makes key investments that better support Massachusetts students and families, that increase access to affordable health care, and that provide for a safer and more reliable public transportation system - all without raising taxes. In a moment of incredible uncertainty at the federal level, our budget is proof that government can be both fiscally responsible and an agent of good, the kind of government that our residents deserve," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz and the House Committee on Ways and Means for working diligently to craft a budget that delivers results for our constituents, as well as all my colleagues in the House for their valued input."

"This budget builds off the successes of the last few years by prioritizing our residents. Whether it is greater investments into programs like housing stability, public transportation, or early education these initiatives are a reflection of our shared values," said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). "By reinvesting in the people of the Commonwealth we will continue make our economy more competitive and equitable for years to come. I want to thank Speaker Mariano for his leadership during this budget process, as well as my Vice-Chairs Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Kipp Diggs, and the entire membership of the House for their thoughts and guidance over the last few months to make this a more successful and well-rounded budget."

Due to responsible fiscal management, the House's FY26 budget is balanced, and makes significant investments across several issue areas, without needing to include new taxes or tax increases nor drawing from the Stabilization Fund, which is set to reach $8.36 billion.

Representative Roy's local and statewide budget wins include:

Local Investments in Franklin and Medway

• $100,000 for the Franklin Performing Arts Company to support arts and cultural programming.

• $50,000 for the Children's Museum of Franklin to expand educational opportunities for local families.

• $50,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry and $50,000 for the Medway Village Food Pantry to fight food insecurity.

• $25,000 for the Medway Community Farm to support local agriculture.

• $25,000 for the Franklin Downtown Partnership to promote economic development in the heart of Franklin.

• $100,000 for the SAFE Coalition to support individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.

Local Investments in Franklin and Medway

Statewide Initiatives Led by Roy

• $500,000 for the Genocide Education Trust Fund to support curriculum and teacher training on genocide awareness in middle and high schools.

These amendments complement major statewide investments in the FY26 House budget, including:

• $7.1 billion in Chapter 70 school aid, with minimum $150 per pupil increases.

• $1.3 billion in Unrestricted General Government Aid to cities and towns.

 

• $450 million for the MBTA and $110 million for RTAs, alongside $40 million to launch the MBTA Academy.

• $94 million to make community college free and expanded financial aid and adult learner support.

• $275 million for Emergency Assistance shelters, and $258 million for rental vouchers to protect housing stability.

• $475 million for childcare provider grants and $15 million to reduce the waitlist for affordable child care.

Speaker Mariano and the House Committee on Ways & Means introduced their FY26 budget proposal on April 16, 2025, following a review of the Governor's proposal and a series of public hearings. The budget passed the House of Representatives 151-6 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The PDF press release from which this was copied can be found ->   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VFwWYNL8pPPCnuyq41thIXd7sfVaZpb4/view?usp=drive_link

MASSter List: "Federal funding for libraries at risk, forcing tough decisions at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners"

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has already made cuts following a Trump administration executive order attempting to shrink the agency that provides the single largest source of federal funding for libraries nationwide. The $3.6 million the MBLC receives annually from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences is at risk, according to Director Maureen Amyot — a chunk of money she said might seem small, but is essential for Massachusetts libraries to fully operate.   Amyot and her colleagues anticipate that a funding rescission is en route, as has already happened in states including Washington, California and Connecticut. Memos sent in March put IMLS staff on leave and slotted a May 4 agency-wide reduction in force. Without IMLS staff to administer the funding that goes to states, reimbursement is uncertain, Amyot said. MBLC had to make preliminary spending cuts to get through fiscal 2025 as a result, including grants that enable libraries to offer English as a second language services, citizenship classes, and efforts to preserve historic materials.  "We cannot expend funds that would be reimbursed by IMLS unless and until we are assured that IMLS and the Grants to States Program is staffed and operating, and that reimbursements for the program are being processed," Amyot told MASSterList.  Turning to fiscal 2026: the ability for MBLC to support all existing library programs could rely on how much it receives in the state budget — the agency can't absorb all federal costs, Amyot said. Aside from specific municipal grants, MBLC spends its federal money in a few buckets, including on subscriptions to statewide databases used in K-12 schools, universities and public libraries; an interlibrary loan system; a statewide eBook and audiobook program; and the full or partial salaries of 13 of the board's 23 staff.  "We can't function as an agency with any less staff than we have now," Amyot said. "The staff are our services — without staff, we cannot provide services to the libraries that we are statutorily required to provide." The AG is already at it: Attorney General Andrea Campbell joined AGs from at least 19 other states in suing the Trump Administration for attempting to shrink multiple federal agencies, including IMLS. An initial hearing on the case took place before the District Court of Rhode Island on April 18; on April 30, a motion hearing on a suit filed by the American Library Association and union AFSCME is set to happen in D.C. — Ella Adams

Send tips to Ella Adams: Editor@MASSterList.com. For advertising and general inquiries, contact Dylan Rossiter: Publisher@MASSterList.com.

The ability to use your Franklin Library Card to read the Boston Globe online is one of the services at risk:  This is one of many services provided by Mass Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). These resources are in danger of disappearing across the Commonwealth after Executive Order 14238. 

 

Learn more at: https://mblc.state.ma.us/federal-cuts.php

 

MASSter List: "Federal funding for libraries at risk, forcing tough decisions at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners"

School Committee Policy Subcommittee recommends consideration of "Horace Mann Campus" (audio)

FM #1423 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1423 in the series. 

This session shares the Franklin (MA) School Committee Policy Subcmte meeting held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. All 3 members participated, Chair O’Sullivan, members Callaghan, McNeill.  Supt Giguere, Ops Director Boisvert, and Dr Rogers representing the Central Office.

Quick recap:

• Supt Giguere sets the stage with some background on how this topic has developed during the redistricting efforts first updated in Dec 2024, then in Jan 2025 to act on the notification to Police, Fire, and DESE on the temporary naming of the new schools operating in the buildings that remained operational in the District

• Some members of the community have misunderstood the delay in allowing the new middle school community to work to develop their identity “as the Schools doing away with Horace” which was not or ever the case, however

• Mercer - Horace Mann is a central source of civic pride and if you wrap the district around H Mann then the community will come along

• J Johnston with the story of H Keller and some of the not so good aspects of her background; Remington was president of Thompson Press and a 20 year SchCmte Member along with other committees in service of the community, definitely worthy of remembering. H Mann you know, he was all for total equality and public education, he wanted teachers trained for their position and not just someone who could do it

• Proposal for the 'campus' i.e. all of the complex including the High school to be designated as such to get ahead of the other conversations so that the Town business doesn't get distracted by this naming convention iitem

• Subcmte discussion on approval for the Central Office to move forward with the Horace Mann campus and potentially a committee to foster the honoring as it goes forward. So moved, passes 3-0 via roll call

• Transportation conundrum - previously a bus/busses included a stop on their routes to drop kiddos off at the Y, with the redistricting such could not easily be done; would likely require adding back a bus on a different slot and results in a cost estimated as low as 45K and as high as $85K. Discussion around options but none prevailed and the “conundrum” remained

• Given the timing (needing to close this session to get to the full committee meeting), the topic on a letter to support the alternative funding being discussed within the Legislature was mentioned briefly, Callaghan to add some stats from the Franklin TV deck presented earlier to the draft in hand and review further in another session

• Motion to adjourn, passes 3-0 

The recording runs about 54 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1423-school-cmte-policy-subcmte-mtg-04-08-25/

 

 

--------------

The meeting agenda can be found -> https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04082025-1668 

The Town Council memo as discussed -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CCDx8c4zn4ZVUr0EYQy1snpygRVLzxHO/view?usp=drive_link 

My full set of notes taken during the meeting can be found in one PDF ->

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14gUGQ0N6s5bMiGwhbHegsRcxfkZUCirY/view?usp=drive_link 

-------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

School Committee Policy Subcommittee recommends consideration of "Horace Mann Campus" (audio)

MassBudget: 25% of the entire MA state budget is paid for with Federal dollars

MassBudget (@MassBudget) posted  Fri, Nov 15, 2024:

💸In case you didn't know: a quarter of the entire MA state budget is paid for with Federal dollars. 

While taxes make up most of the revenue, it's important to remember the budget's multiple funding sources, and how that context can affect the decisions the state makes. #mapoli

Shared from -> https://t.co/A9QaDOLlL0

Visit MassBudget for additional info -> https://massbudget.org/state-budget/

MassBudget: 25% of the entire MA state budget is paid for with Federal dollars

Washington Post has a "Deep Read" on Norfolk and the State prison shelter situation

"Here was the town where Kevin Roche grew up: empty sidewalks, a coffee shop, a pharmacy, two pizza parlors, two ambulances, two roundabouts and no grocery store. A small, quiet town, people in Norfolk said. Pleasant. Safe. Nothing much to do, and that meant nothing much changed from one morning to the next or the next, until this morning, when Kevin woke up and knew that the town would be different by the time the day was over.

He got in his car and drove toward Main Street just before 7 a.m. Main Street ran from one end of Norfolk to the other, four miles in all, and it led to the auto repair shop where Kevin, 60, had worked since he was 12 years old, first for his father, and now alongside his own son. He passed the line of houses he saw every morning, which were the same, except for the ones that had new signs in the yard. “NORFOLK PRISON-SHELTER,” they read. “NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE.”

At the east end of Main Street, razor wire was being removed from a chain-link fence around Bay State Correctional Center, an unused low-security state prison half a mile from Kevin’s shop. At the foot of the fence, rows of thick coil lay in the grass. Security guards stood at the front gates. Cribs and diaper kits sat on the floor of the prison gym. Clean, white sheets lay on the beds."

Continue reading via a gift subscription to this article -> https://wapo.st/3B5zO23

Washington Post has a "Deep Read" on Norfolk and the State prison shelter situation

State budget allocates $50,000 to support enhanced client programs provided by the Franklin Food Pantry

The Franklin Food Pantry, a private, nonprofit organization offering supplemental food assistance, was granted $50,000 in the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget. State Representative Jeffrey Roy spearheaded the funding, which will support enhanced client programs including in person shopping, the Franklin Public Schools Weekend Backpack program, food delivery for homebound clients, and The Pantry’s building upkeep and maintenance. This is the fourth consecutive year that Representative Roy, a champion in ending hunger, has secured funding for The Pantry from the state. 

(L-R) Marsha Tait, Development Director, State Rep Jeff Roy, Tina Powderly, Executive Director (Photo Credit: Paul Vicario)

"Individuals and families in our community are experiencing hunger,” says Tina Powderly, Executive Director, Franklin Food Pantry. “In the past year, The Pantry has welcomed lifelong residents and families who for a variety of reasons or circumstances seek food assistance. Because of the support from our leaders and lawmakers including State Representative Jeffrey Roy, we’re able to help those in need and provide access to healthy, nutritious food.” 

Upon moving to 341 W. Central St. in Franklin in June of 2023, The Pantry saw an immediate increase in demand of about 40 percent over last year—and that increase remained constant through Fiscal Year 2024. Pantry staff attributes the increase to greater visibility on route 140, as well as the high cost of food, housing, and other expenses.

“The Franklin Food Pantry is essential to our community in providing supplemental food assistance to more than 1,300 individuals each year,” said State Representative Jeffrey Roy (D) 10th Norfolk. “I am happy to have secured $50,000 in the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget as so many residents in the Commonwealth are struggling with food insecurity and these funds will help with finishing the building project and enhancing programs in the new facility. I am grateful to The Pantry for its continued commitment and dedication to our community.”

To learn more about how you can support the Franklin Food Pantry, and help end food insecurity in the community, please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

About the Franklin Food Pantry, Inc.

The Franklin Food Pantry, Inc. offers supplemental food assistance, household necessities, and resource referral programs to more than 1,300 individuals per year. The Pantry relies on donations and grants to purchase items and pay for daily operations, and partnerships with The Greater Boston Food Bank, Spoonfuls, and local grocery stores to achieve greater buying power and lower costs. Programs include In-person Shopping, Curbside Pick-up, Emergency Food Bags, Mobile Pantries, Home Delivery, Kids’ Snack Bags, Weekend Backpacks, Holiday Meal Kits, and the SNAP match at Franklin Farmers Market. 

The Pantry is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in good standing in Massachusetts, recognized by Charity Navigator as a Four-Star Charity, and awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Transparency ranking. The Pantry is located at 341 W. Central St. in Franklin, MA on Route 140. Please visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org for more information.

 

Note: By way of disclosure, I am supporting the Food Pantry by volunteering on two of their committees and happy to give my time freely for this important effort. 

Tracy O'Connell Novick provides insights into the education accounts for the State FY 2025 budget

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) posted:

There's a few interesting wrinkles in the education accounts in the conference committee budget passed last week by both chambers. 

As it sits on Governor Healey's desk, a few notes from me: https://t.co/23xsnwVHSa

#MAEdu #mapoli #mabudget

Shared from -> https://x.com/TracyNovick/status/1815704598293700881

Or go directly to Tracy's blog page -> https://who-cester.blogspot.com/2024/07/state-conference-committee-budget-on.html

Tracy O'Connell Novick provides insights into the education accounts for the State FY 2025 budget

MA Senate Passes 2025 Budget to Make Community College Free, Invest in Every Region, Open Childcare Seats

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously approved a $57.999 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25). Following robust and spirited debate, the Senate adopted over 400 amendments and took 43 roll call votes, adding $89.6 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities for communities around the Commonwealth.  

The budget builds on the Senate’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while delivering historic levels of investment in every level of education, regional equity, and mental health, reflecting the Chamber’s commitment to creating a more affordable, equitable, and competitive Commonwealth.   

“Today our chamber took a vote of confidence in every Massachusetts resident going to school, raising a family, and working to make ends meet —today we took a vote for an affordable, competitive, and equitable Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This budget is an investment in our people, and it is an investment in our collective future. I want to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman, Assistant Vice Chair Comerford, the Committee, and all my Senate colleagues and staff for their thoughtful and collaborative work on this great budget.” 

“The Fiscal Year 2025 budget overwhelmingly passed by the Senate makes transformative investments in education, regional equity, and builds upon the Commonwealth’s workforce economy,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “These historic measures enable residents to remain in the state, solidifying our economic future for generations to come. The FY 25 budget is also a balanced and responsible plan, centered on sustainability and regional equity by maximizing revenues and building upon the progress we’ve already made in key sectors of the state economy. With a transparent and inclusive amendment process, we were able to improve our original budget and make even further strides in our education, economic development, environmental, and health and human services priorities. Thank you to all my Senate colleagues, especially members on the Committee; whose thoughtful input, advocacy, and collaboration, helped to develop and shape this comprehensive budget plan, I would also like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Senate President Spilka for her compassionate and resolute leadership as we work together to rebuild our economy and grow our state’s long-term economic health,”  

“The Senate’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget ensures stability, regional equity, and a high level of quality for the programs that our municipalities and residents need and rely on,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “As we grapple with rising costs and access challenges within the Massachusetts health care system, I am especially proud that this budget utilizes tools to maximize our health care dollars for the facilities and providers that serve our most vulnerable residents. I thank Senate President Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, and my Senate colleagues for their thoughtful approach and dedication to passing a budget that balances fiscal constraints with targeted, impactful investment in our Commonwealth.” 

“Universally free community college and record public higher education investments. Significant funding for rural roads and bridges, local public health, K-12 schools, Unrestricted Government Aid, PILOT, Regional Transit Authorities, food security, and more,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am proud of the many ways this budget rises to meet the needs and opportunities of all the Commonwealth’s people. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka and Chair Michael Rodrigues for your leadership in crafting this compassionate and visionary budget proposal.” 

The Committee’s budget recommends a total of $58 billion in spending, a $1.8 billion increase over the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) General Appropriations Act (GAA). This spending recommendation is based on a tax revenue estimate of $41.5 billion for FY25, which is $208 million less than revenues assumed in the FY24 GAA. This represents nearly flat growth, as agreed upon during the Consensus Revenue process in January, plus $1.3 billion in revenue generated from the Fair Share surtax. 

As the Commonwealth adjusts to a changing economic landscape and ongoing tax revenue volatility, the FY25 budget adheres to disciplined and responsible fiscal stewardship. It does not raise taxes, nor does it draw down available reserves from the Stabilization Fund or the Transitional Escrow Fund, while at the same time judicially utilizing one-time resources to maintain balance.  

The Senate’s budget continues responsible and sustainable planning for the future by continuing to grow the Rainy Day Fund, already at a historic high of over $8 billion. The Senate’s proposal would build the Commonwealth’s reserves to a healthy balance in excess of $9 billion at the close of FY25.  

Fair Share Investments 

Consistent with the consensus revenue agreement reached with the Administration and House of Representatives in January, the Senate’s FY25 budget includes $1.3 billion in revenues generated from the Fair Share surtax of 4 per cent on annual income above $1 million. As FY25 represents the second year where this source of revenue is available, the Committee’s budget invests these Fair Share revenues into an array of important initiatives to further strengthen our state’s economy by expanding access to quality public education and improving the state’s transportation infrastructure.  

Notable Fair Share education investments include:  

• $170 million for Universal School Meals.  
• $150 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program to provide monthly grants to early education and care programs, which is matched with $325 million in funds from the General Fund and the High-Quality Early Education & Care Affordability Fund for a total investment of $475 million.  
• $117.5 million for MassEducate to provide free community college across the Commonwealth.   
• $105 million to expand financial aid programs for in-state students attending state universities through MASSGrant Plus, which is in addition to the $175.2M for scholarships funded through the General Fund.  
• $80 million for childcare affordability, creating more than 4,000 new subsidized childcare seats and expanding access to subsidized childcare to families making 85 per cent state median income.  
• $65 million for early education and care provider rate increases, to increase salaries for our early educators. 
• $15 million for the CPPI Pre-K Initiative, matching $17.5 million in funds from the General Fund, for a total of $32.5M to support the expansion of universal pre-kindergarten, including in Gateway Cities.  
• $10 million for wraparound supports to boost community college and state university student persistence, which is matched with the $18 million in SUCCESS funds from the General Fund, for a total of $28 million.  
• $10 million for early literacy initiatives.  
• $7.5 million for school-based mental health supports and wraparound services.  
• $5 million for Early College and Innovation Pathways. 

Notable Fair Share transportation investments include: 

$250 million for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF), which will leverage additional borrowing capacity of the CTF and increase investments in transportation infrastructure by $1.1 billion over the next 5 years. This $250 million includes:  

• $127 million to double operating support for the MBTA.  
• $63 million in debt service to leverage additional borrowing capacity.  
• $60 million in operating support for MassDOT.  
• $125 million for Roads and Bridges Supplemental Aid for cities and towns, including $62.5 million for local road funds through a formula that recognizes the unique transportation issues faced by rural communities.  
• $120 million for Regional Transit Funding and Grants to support the work of Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) that serve the Commonwealth, which together with General Fund spending funds RTAs at a record $214 million.  Fair Share funding includes:  
• $66 million in direct operating support for the Regional Transit Authorities.  
• $40 million for systemwide implementation of fare-free transit service.  
• $10 million to incentivize connections between regional transit routes.  
• $4 million to support expanded mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities.  
• $24.5 million for Commuter Rail capital improvements.  
• $23 million to support implementation of a low-income fare relief program at the MBTA.   
• $15 million for municipal small bridges and culverts.  
• $7.5 million for water transportation, funding operational assistance for ferry services.   

Education 

The Senate Ways and Means FY25 budget proposal implements the Senate’s Student Opportunity Plan by shaping polices to make high-quality education more accessible and by making significant investments in the education system, from our youngest learners to adults re-entering the higher education system.   

Recognizing that investing in our early education and care system directly supports the underlying economic competitiveness of the Commonwealth, the Senate’s budget makes a $1.58 billion investment in early education and care. The FY25 budget will maintain operational support for providers, support the early education and care workforce, and prioritize accessibility and affordability throughout our early education and care system. Notable funding includes: 

$475 million for a full year of operational grants the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Grant program, this is the second fiscal year in a row that a full year of C3 grants have been funded using state dollars in the annual state budget. The Committee’s budget also makes the C3 program permanent, while also adding provisions to direct more funds from the C3 program to early education and programs that serve children receiving childcare subsidies from the state and youth with high needs. Currently, more than 92 percent of early education and care programs in the Commonwealth receive these grants. This program, which has become a model nationwide, has proven successful at increasing the salaries of early educators, reducing tuition costs for families, and expanding the number of available childcare slots beyond pre-pandemic capacity.  

• $80 million for childcare affordability, creating more than 4,000 new subsidized childcare seats and expanding eligibility for subsidized childcare to families making 85 per cent of the state median income. 
• $65 million for center-based childcare reimbursement rates for subsidized care, including $20 million for a new reimbursement rate increase. 
• $53.6 million for quality improvement initiatives at early education and care providers, with $6 million supporting the Summer Step Up program. 
• $32.5 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative, which empowers school districts to expand prekindergarten and preschool opportunities through public-private partnerships. This is double the amount that was appropriated for this initiative in FY23. 
• $20 million for Childcare Resource and Referral Centers to assist parents, childcare providers, employers, and community groups in navigating the state’s early education and care landscape.  
• $18.5 million for grants to Head Start programs, which provide crucial early education and childcare services to low-income families. 
• $5 million for grants to early education and care providers for childhood mental health consultation services. 
• $2.5 million for a new public-private matching pilot program to encourage employers to create and support new childcare slots, with an emphasis on serving children most in-need.  

Building off the Senate’s unanimous passage of the comprehensive EARLY ED Act in March, the Committee’s FY25 budget codifies several provisions of the bill, transforming the early education sector by improving affordability and access for families, increasing pay for early educators, and ensuring the sustainability and quality of early education and care programs.  

In K-12 education, the Senate follows through on the commitment to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by Fiscal Year 2027, investing $6.9 billion in Chapter 70 funding, an increase of $319 million over FY24, as well as increasing minimum Chapter 70 aid from $30 to $110 per pupil, delivering an additional $40 million in resources to school districts across the state. With these investments, the Senate continues to provide crucial support to school districts confronting the increasing cost pressures that come with delivering high-quality education to all students. 

In addition to the record levels of investment in early education and K-12, the Committee’s budget removes barriers to accessing public higher education by codifying into law MassEducate, a $117.5 million investment in universal free community college program that covers tuition and fees for residents, aimed at supporting economic opportunity, workforce development, and opening the door to higher education for people who may never have had access. The FY25 budget permanently enshrines free community college into law in an affordable, sustainable, and prudent manner across the Commonwealth, while leaving no federal dollars on the table.  

Other education investments include: 

• $492.2 million for the special education circuit breaker. 
• $198.9 million for charter school reimbursements. 
• $99.4 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs. 
• $28.3 million for higher education wraparound services, including $18.3 million in General Fund resources, to support wraparound supports to the influx of new students coming to community colleges campuses because of MassEducate.  During debate, the Senate added an amendment to fund $500,000for the Hunger Free Initiative. 
• $17.5 million for Rural School Aid supports. 
• $15 million for Early College programs and $13.1 million for the state’s Dual Enrollment initiative, both of which provide high school students with increased opportunities for post-graduate success. 
• $5 million to support continued implementation of the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Higher Education law, including $3 million for grants offered through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment initiative to help high school students with intellectual disabilities ages 18–22 access higher education opportunities; and $2 million for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Trust Fund. 
• $3 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund, continuing our commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide. 
• $1 million for Hate Crimes Prevention Grants to support education and prevention of hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools.  

Community Support 

The Committee’s budget—in addition to funding traditional accounts like Chapter 70 education aid—further demonstrates the Senate’s commitment to partnerships between the state and municipalities, dedicating meaningful resources that touch all regions and meet the needs of communities across the Commonwealth. This includes $1.3 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), an increase of $38 million over FY24, to support additional resources for cities and towns.  

In addition to traditional sources of local aid, the Committee’s budget increases payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $53 million, an increase of $1.5 million over FY24. PILOT funding is an additional source of supplemental local aid for cities and towns working to protect and improve access to essential services and programs during recovery from the pandemic. Other local investments include: 

• $214 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation systems, including $120 million from Fair Share funds to support our RTAs that help to connect all regions of our Commonwealth. 
• $51.3 million for libraries, including $19 million for regional library local aid, $20 million for municipal libraries and $6.2 million for technology and automated resource networks. 
• $25.6 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture, and creative economic initiatives. 

Health, Mental Health & Family Care 

The Senate budget funds MassHealth at a total of $20.33 billion, providing more than two million people with continued access to affordable, accessible, and comprehensive health care services. Other health investments include: 

• $3 billion for a range of services and focused supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
• Nearly $2 billion to protect and deliver a wide range of mental health services and programs, including $622.3 million for Department of Mental Health adult support services, including assisted outpatient programming and comprehensive care coordination among health care providers. 
• $582.1 million for nursing facility Medicaid rates, including $112 million in additional base rate payments to maintain competitive wages in the Commonwealth’s nursing facility workforce. 
• $390 million for Chapter 257 rates to support direct-care providers across the continuum of care. 
• $198.9 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services to support these individuals and their families. 
• $131 million for children’s mental health services. 
• $113 million for the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program to prevent service reductions and maintain accessible eligibility thresholds. 
• $75.8 million for domestic violence prevention services. 
• $30.9 million for Early Intervention services, ensuring supports remain accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities. 
• $33.8 million for Family Resource Centers to grow and improve the mental health resources and programming available to families. 
• $28.5 million for grants to local Councils on Aging to increase assistance per elder to $15 from $14 in FY 2024. 
• $26.7 million for student behavioral health services across the University of Massachusetts, state universities, community colleges, K-12 schools, and early education centers. 
• $25 million for emergency department diversion initiatives for children, adolescents, and adults.  
• $25.1 million for family and adolescent health, including $9.2 million for comprehensive family planning services and $6.7 million to enhance federal Title X family planning funding. 
• $20 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives. 
• $14.2 million for suicide prevention and intervention, with an additional $1.4 million for Samaritans Inc. and $1.1 million for the Call-2-Talk suicide prevention hotline. This investment will fully fund 988, the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline. 
• $14.5 million for maternal and child health, including $10.4 million for pediatric palliative care services for terminally ill children and a policy adjustment to ensure that children up to age 22 can continue to be served through the program.  
• $12.5 million for grants to support local and regional boards of health, continuing our efforts to build upon the successful State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program. 
• $6 million for Social Emotional Learning Grants to help K-12 schools continue to bolster social emotional learning supports for students, including $1 million to provide mental health screenings for K-12 students. 
• $5.5 million for Children Advocacy Centers to improve the critical supports available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused. 
• $3.9 million for the Office of the Child Advocate. 
• $3.75 million for the Massachusetts Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma.  
• $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety. 

Expanding & Protecting Opportunities 

The Senate remains committed to continuing an equitable recovery, expanding opportunity, and supporting the state’s long-term economic health. To that end, the Senate’s budget increases the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing a historic $500 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year. The budget also includes a 10 per cent increase to Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) benefit levels compared to June 2024 to help families move out of deep poverty.  

In addition, the budget provides $87 million in critical funding to support a host of food security initiatives including $42 million for Emergency Food Assistance to assist residents in navigating the historical levels in food insecurity, and $20 million for the Health Incentives Program (HIP) to ensure full operation of the program to maintain access to healthy food options for SNAP households.  

Economic opportunity investments include: 

• $499.7 million for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and $179 million for Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to provide the necessary support as caseloads increase, and continue the Deep Poverty increases. 
• $59.7 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce. 
• $42 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program. 
• $20 million in Healthy Incentives Programs to maintain access to healthy food options for households in need. 
• $15.5 million for the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program. 
• $10.4 million for Career Technical Institutes to increase our skilled worker population and provide residents access to career technical training opportunities, which will combine with $12.3 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funding for the program. 
• $10 million for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant program. 
• $10 million for a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program to provide economic support to communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. 
• $5.4 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to trainings and post-secondary opportunities in the industry sector with a focus on STEM fields. 
• $5 million for Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, which will pair with $12.8 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funding for the program. 
• $5 million for the Secure Jobs Connect Program, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals. 
• $2.5 million for the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Innovation Fund, including $1.5 million to further partnerships with community colleges and state universities to provide cybersecurity workforce training to students and cybersecurity services to municipalities, non-profits, and small businesses. 

Housing 

As the Senate moves forward to shape a more fiscally sustainable path for the Commonwealth, affordable housing opportunities remain out of reach for too many. Longstanding housing challenges are being exacerbated by the influx of individuals and families migrating to Massachusetts, and a lack of federal financial assistance and immigration reform. To that end, the Committee’s budget invests $1.14 billion in housing, dedicating resources for housing stability, residential assistance, emergency shelter services, and homelessness assistance programs, ensuring the state deploys a humane, responsible, and sustainable approach to providing families and individuals in need with an access point to secure housing. 

The budget prioritizes relief for families and individuals who continue to face challenges brought on by the pandemic and financial insecurity, including $325.3 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters, in addition to the $175 million in resources passed in the recent supplemental budget, to place the Commonwealth’s shelter system on a fiscal glidepath into FY25, in addition to $197.4 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). 

Other housing investments include: 

• $231.5 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), including $12.5 million in funds carried forward from FY24.   
• $115 million for assistance to local housing authorities.  
• $110.8 million for assistance for homeless individuals. 
• $57.3 million for the HomeBASE diversion and rapid re-housing programs. 
• $27 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), including $10.7 million in funds carried forward from FY24, to provide rental assistance to people with disabilities.  
• $10.5 million for assistance for unaccompanied homeless youth.  
• $9 million for the Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs). 
• $8.9 million for sponsored-based supportive permanent housing. 
• $8.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including funding to support homeless LGBTQ youth 

The final FY25 Senate budget will be available on the Senate budget website.  https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateBudget

A conference committee will now be appointed to reconcile differences between the versions of the budget passed by the Senate and House of Representatives. 

CommonWealth Beacon coverage of the Senate budget actions ->   https://commonwealthbeacon.org/government/state-government/senate-budget-plan-makes-community-college-free-eliminates-rta-fares/

MA Senate Passes 2025 Budget to Make Community College Free, Invest in Every Region, Open Childcare Seats