(BOSTON 5/26/2026) — The Massachusetts Senate last week unanimously passed a $63.37 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027 that invests responsibly in public education and municipalities, unlocks new opportunities for housing growth, and upholds the Commonwealth’s core commitments to its residents.

Every investment made by the Senate comes without raising a single tax or fee on Massachusetts residents, who are already feeling the weight of inflation, tariffs, and the impact of the federal government’s costly foreign entanglements.

“Recent years have been defined by an era of uncertainty – uncertainty about our economic prosperity, uncertainty about the direction of our federal government, uncertainty about our future. But here in Massachusetts, we have something we can be certain about; our state-supported programs will remain funded without raising taxes on everyday Bay Staters,” said Senator Michael Moore (D-Millbury). “The record investments in our communities delivered by this FY27 budget is a testament to the responsibility and resilience of our people, and I could not be more thrilled to share the news that Massachusetts will not be leaving anyone behind. I’d like to thank my colleagues in the Senate for their hard work on this bill, and I look forward to seeing it sent to Governor Healey’s desk.”

During Senate debate, Senator Moore secured amendments for the cities and towns in his district and beyond. They include:

Regional

$500,000 for Veterans Inc. to support its employment training and substance use treatment programs.
Restoring the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s budget to its FY26 level, reversing a nearly $400,000 cut.
$250,000 to fund cancer screenings for firefighters in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.
$250,000 for EcoTarium to support the care of animals, expand community education programs, and fund animal habitat improvements.
$25,000 to the Latin American Health Alliance of Central Massachusetts to support its substance use recovery programs.
$20,000 for CASA Project Worcester County to support its efforts to provide legal representation to vulnerable children during court proceedings.

Auburn

$55,000 for the Town of Auburn to purchase a 3D laser scanner for its Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit.
$20,000 for Auburn Youth and Family Services to support its community food pantry program.

Millbury

$75,000 for the Millbury Police Department to purchase a K9 police cruiser.

Grafton

$130,000 for Grafton Public Schools to upgrade classroom technology and purchase an activity van (passed as part of the recent Fair Share Supplemental Budget).

Shrewsbury

$150,000 for the Shrewsbury Police Department to purchase a police boat for use on Lake Quinsigamond.

Westborough

$60,000 for Westborough Public Schools to purchase cell phone lock boxes, creating phone-free classrooms.

Worcester

$75,000 for the Worcester Police Department to purchase a K9 police cruiser.
$20,000 for the New Americans Community Development Corporation to support the development of affordable housing within Worcester’s Main Middle neighborhood.

The budget makes historic investments in cities and towns through record levels of Chapter 70 school aid—which helps support the full range of school expenses from teachers to school supplies—and Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), which local leaders can use as flexible spending for everything from paving sidewalks to hiring police officers.

The budget completes the Legislature’s promise to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act with $7.66 billion in funding for local school districts – an increase of $297 million over last fiscal year – along with a record $160-per-pupil minimum for local school aid. It also boosts UGGA by $53 million, distributed through a new method based on population, while formally starting the process of reforming the UGGA distribution formula to be more equitable and move forward from an outdated system that has left some municipalities behind.

The budget reconvenes the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) to examine the current K-12 funding formula and assess new ways to address rising costs in special education, student transportation, personnel, and educator health care. It also establishes a commission to study public school construction financing through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to ensure grant funding is allocated responsibly and equitably.

On housing, the budget builds on last session’s Affordable Homes Act (AHA) with provisions to streamline local permitting, support development on nonconforming properties, provide reasonable timelines for projects to move forward under existing zoning rules, and modernize the variance standard — all aimed at meeting housing demand and driving down costs.

The budget directs over $265 million toward anti-hunger, food security, and economic security, including $148 million for Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) caseworkers to maintain SNAP program integrity and comply with new federal requirements, $55 million for Emergency Food Assistance, and $29.7 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) supporting local farmers and healthy food access.

It fully annualizes recent benefit increases through Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to fight deep poverty and includes a $500 clothing allowance per child for families receiving TAFDC benefits.

Additional investments include improved safety standards at assisted living residences following the tragic Gabriel House fire in Fall River; expanded affordability in higher education through Senate-led programs like MassEducate; and full funding for jail diversion programs connecting individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders to appropriate treatment – improving lives and strengthening public safety.

The budget also includes a consumer protection provision requiring companies to make canceling a subscription as easy as signing up, shielding residents from junk fees and hard-to-cancel recurring charges.

During debate, Senators adopted amendments sending resources to programs and institutions that serve residents across Massachusetts, including funding for the Museum of African American History.

Notably, the Senate adopted an amendment shielding children from sexual exploitation and abusive power dynamics by protecting children aged 16 and 17 from sexual interactions with people who are responsible for their care and oversight—mandated reporters such as teachers and coaches, police officers, and social workers and Department of Children and Families (DCF) custodians.

A detailed summary highlighting the many key components of the budget is available via a fact sheet in the Senate’s press room.

Different versions of the budget having been passed in the Senate and the House, a conference committee will be convened to align on a consensus bill. After final passage in both chambers, the bill will go to the Governor for her signature.

###