Senate Ways and Means Releases Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Recommendations

 Senate Ways and Means Releases Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Recommendations

Senate upholds ongoing fiscal responsibility, protects core services, and reinforces

the state’s economic foundation in the face of federal uncertainty

 

(BOSTON—5/6/2025) The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today released a $61.3 billion Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal that safeguards the state’s financial health, protects the state’s most vulnerable residents, and makes investments that reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic vitality in the face of mounting federal threats.

 

“This budget reflects the Senate’s commitment to a Commonwealth that carefully balances investing in our people with responsible money management so we can protect our residents, communities and economy for years to come,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate’s statewide approach to investment delivers resources to every part of the state and protects our most vulnerable residents, while our continued focus on education and mental health ensures that residents will have they keys to unlock the doors of opportunity. I am profoundly grateful to Chair Rodrigues for his tireless work, as well as Vice Chair Comerford, Assistant Vice Chair Feeney, and each of the committee members for their tireless work in shaping the state’s investments in our collective future in the face of federal uncertainty.”

 

“The Senate Ways and Means Committee FY26 budget recommendations are firmly rooted in the principle of fiscal responsibility,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D–Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The budget reflects the Senate’s deep and steadfast commitment towards achieving long-term sustainability while protecting core services for our most vulnerable populations as we confront rising federal uncertainty. Built on a sensible consensus revenue tax estimate, the Committee’s budget employs an ‘all hands on deck’ approach that strives to focus on several areas essential to reinforcing and strengthening the Commonwealth’s broader economic foundation, investing significant resources into education, transportation, local aid, health and human services, housing, public safety, and other vital areas. This proposal further ensures that we never forget state government’s solemn responsibility to care for and support all residents of the Commonwealth.”

 

“Restoration of full Healthy Incentives Program benefits, a continued robust commitment to public education—from cradle to career, increased aid to municipalities across the board, all while avoiding potentially devastating cuts to health care and mental and public health services,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I am proud of the many ways the Senate is responding to the needs and concerns of Massachusetts residents during this extremely challenging time. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for this compassionate budget proposal.”

 

“The FY26 Senate Ways and Means budget represents a ‘back to basics’ approach to supporting the most pressing needs of our Commonwealth while investing in our future—all in the face of federal spending uncertainty and economic volatility, without raising new taxes,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This budget is a fiscally sound and sustainable spending plan that is focused on delivering for the working people of the Commonwealth who are facing rising costs of education, housing, health care and childcare; the municipalities we rely on; and the industries which drive our economy and create jobs. I am particularly proud and grateful that this budget fully funds the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, ensuring its continued operation through Fiscal Year 2026 to meet the physical, medical and educational needs of the most vulnerable and medically complex young people in Massachusetts.”

 

The Committee’s budget recommends a total of $61.3 billion in spending, a $3.61 billion increase over the last fiscal year. Aligned with estimated tax revenue growth, the fiscally responsible spending plan is based on a consensus tax revenue estimate of $41.214 billion for the coming fiscal year, a 2.25 per cent increase over the current fiscal year’s benchmark.

 

The bill would neither raise taxes nor spend dollars from the state’s stabilization fund—also known as the “Rainy Day Fund”—which currently amounts to a historic $8.2 billion. Based on Fair Share surtax revenue estimates, the Committee’s recommendation includes $1.95 billion in education and transportation investments, an increase of $650 million over the last fiscal year.

 

Fair Share Investments

The Senate’s budget includes $1.95 billion in Fair Share surtax revenues, consistent with the consensus revenue agreement reached by the Administration and House of Representatives.

 

For the third time since voters approved the surtax, the Committee’s budget uses these revenues to support quality public education investments and the state’s transportation infrastructure, two cornerstones of the state’s economic foundation. Together with the Senate’s $1.28 billion Fair Share supplemental budget proposal, total support for statewide transportation and education projects amounts to over $3 billion.

 

To brace for potential federal actions, the Senate’s FY26 budget recommends depositing $165 million of surtax revenues into the Education and Transportation Reserve Fund, maintaining the Senate’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing fiscal responsibility in the face of rising uncertainty. By doing so, the budget sets aside a downpayment that will help maintain commitments to key public education programming and transportation infrastructure in the event of significant economic disruption changes due to potential federal actions.

 

Notable Fair Share Education investments include:

 

• $325 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grant program, which is matched with $150 million in funds from the General Fund and the Early Education and Care Operational Grant Fund, for a total investment of $475 million.
• $265 million for Student Opportunity Act (SOA) expansion, as part of a $460 million increase from FY25 to support the fifth year of the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act and provide $150 in minimum per-pupil aid.
• $170 million for universal free school meals.
• $120 million for universal free community college, including non-credit tuition funding for those seeking to become emergency medical technicians and paramedics.
• $100 million to maintain financial aid programs for in-state students attending state universities through MASSGrant Plus, which is in addition to the $175.2 million for scholarships funded through general revenue.
• $98 million for Child Care Supports, coupled with a $192.8 million increase in the General Fund to maintain the current capacity and rates of the child care financial assistance program.
• $50 million for school transportation reimbursement costs.
• $14 million for the State University Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services (SUCCESS) Program.
• $10 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI), matching $17.6 million in general revenue for a total of $27.6 million, to support a pathway to universal pre-kindergarten expansion, including in Gateway Cities and the Summer Step Up program.
• $20 million for early literacy initiatives and programs.
• $8 million for the Reimagining High School Initiative.
• $5 million for school-based mental health supports and wraparound services.

 

Notable Fair Share Transportation investments include:

 

• $350 million, in addition to $150 million from the General Fund, for a total of $500 million to support Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operations, including key initiatives like low-income fare relief, year-round ferry service and the MBTA Academy. Together with the Senate’s recently released Fair Share supplemental budget,the Committee has proposed dedicating $820 million in operating resources to fully fund MBTA’s operations for FY26.
• $120 million to support Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) across the state.  Together with resources from the General Fund, the bill provides a record $214 million for RTAs.  The Fair Share portion of the funding includes:
• $66 million in direct operating support for Regional Transit Authorities.
• $40 million to support complete fare free fixed-route access across all Regional Transit Authorities.
• $10 million to incentivize connections between regional transit routes and local economic hubs.
• $4 million to support expanded mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities.
• $78 million for debt service for expanded new bond capacity for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF) for essential transportation project across the Commonwealth. By committing $600 million to the CTF, the Committee budget will unlock additional bond capacity for critical transportation projects over the next ten years.
• $52 million in operating support for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

 

Education

The Senate Ways and Means FY26 budget supports all levels of education and students of all ages by maintaining investments to reinforce a cornerstone of our economy. The proposal fully funds the fifth year of the Student Opportunity Act, provides a historic funding commitment to the Department of Early Education and Care, and stands by public and private institutions of higher education at a volatile time.

 

With a $1.71 billion total investment in early education and care, the Senate’s budget builds on last year’s passage of the EARLY ED Act, supporting the sector’s workforce, protecting programming, and maintaining access to affordable care for families facing economic pressure.

 

Notable education funding includes:

• $517.6 million for income-eligible child care.
• $448.2 million for Department of Children & Families (DCF) and Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) related child care, providing critical services for families eligible for subsidized care.
• $475 million for the C3 operational grant program, supporting critical operational and workforce needs across the early education sector for the third year in a row.
• $98 million for child care supports, coupled with a $192.8 million increase from the General Fund to maintain the current capacity and rates of the child care financial assistance program.
• $44.9 million for EEC Quality Improvement Initiatives.
• $27.6 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to maintain access to universal pre-kindergarten and preschool opportunities in underserved areas.
• $20 million for Childcare Resource and Referral Centers to support parents, childcare providers, employers, and community groups in navigating the state’s early education and care landscape.
• $20 million for grants to Head Start programs to promote school readiness for young children in low-income households.
• $5 million for grants to early education and care providers for childhood mental health consultation services.
• $2.5 million to continue the successful public-private pilot program with employers to create new childcare slots.

The Senate budget’s K-12 investments provide crucial support to school districts confronting the increased costs and immense fiscal pressures that come with the responsibility of delivering high-quality public education to Massachusetts’ students.

 

To support schools across the state, the Senate follows through on the commitment to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act by Fiscal Year 2027 and invests $7.3 billion in Chapter 70 state aid to public schools, an increase of $460 million over FY25. Further, the budget increases minimum Chapter 70 aid to $150 per pupil, delivering an additional $39.6 million in resources to school districts across the state.

 

For the second year, the Senate’s budget dedicates $120 million to fully fund MassEducate, the Commonwealth’s universal free community college program that became law in last year’s budget. By again delivering free tuition and fees for residents, the FY26 proposal continues its unwavering show of support for this vital initiative that expands economic opportunity for all residents in a regionally equitable manner across the Commonwealth.

 

Other education investments include:

• $492 million for the Special Education Circuit Breaker, in addition to the $190 million included in the Fair Share supplemental budget recently released by the Committee. Together with Fair Share supplemental funding, the Senate’s FY26 budget fulfills the promise of 75 per cent reimbursement for eligible tuition and transportation costs, recommending $682 million in total to reimburse school districts for the cost of educating students with disabilities.
• $183 million for charter school reimbursements.
• $275 million for scholarships to students, including $100 million in Fair Share resources to expand MASSGrant Plus financial aid support for students attending public institutions.
• $103.7 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs, including $53.7 million in General Fund resources.
• $30 million for higher education wraparound services, including $16 million in General Fund resources, to support services for students attending community colleges thanks to MassEducate, and $14 million in Fair Share resources to support wraparound services for students attending state universities.
• $16 million for rural school aid supports.
• $14.2 million for early college programs and $13.1 million for dual enrollment, along with $8 million for Reimagining High School, further empowering high school students to pursue opportunities by taking college courses prior to graduation.
• $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 aged 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 to continue the state’s commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide.
• $2.5 million for the Civics Education Trust Fund to maintain and support a statewide civic infrastructure, provide professional development to teachers, and ensure that every student can access high quality civics education.
• $1 million for Hate Crimes Prevention Grants to support education and prevention of hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools. 

Community Support

Highlighting the Senate’s longstanding commitment to a sustainable state–local partnership, the Committee’s budget provides significant resources to support all Massachusetts cities and towns, further ensuring that the state can meet the needs of every region, city, and town and leave no corner of the Commonwealth behind.

 

The proposal includes $1.337 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), the primary source of direct state aid to Massachusetts towns and cities, an increase of $38.7 million over FY25. UGGA funding supports additional resources for municipalities as they collectively confront increased fiscal constraints at the local level.

 

The Committee’s budget establishes a special commission to study how local aid is distributed, evaluate its effectiveness and equity, and make recommendations to maximize the equity of the distribution. In addition to traditional sources of local aid, the Committee’s budget also increases payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $54.5 million. 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.

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 maintain and continue expansions to regional bus service, sustain systemwide fare free transit service, and support RTA commuter operations.
• $116 million for local housing authorities.
• $54.5 million for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to cities and towns for state-owned land.
• $52.4 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.
• $29.5 million in grants to Councils on Aging, increasing assistance per elder to $16 from $15 in FY25.
• $26 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture, and creative economic initiatives.

The Committee’s budget includes provisions codifying fare-free RTA service, which will require all RTAs to eliminate passenger fares for fixed routes and ADA-required paratransit service. With this measure, the Senate is upholding its commitment to prioritizing regional equity and supporting RTAs as an essential public service that connects communities and provides a crucial connection for commuters, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

 

Health, Mental Health, and Family Care

The Senate’s FY26 budget funds MassHealth at $22.41 billion, an increase of $2.34 billion over the last fiscal year. As the largest cost driver in the Committee’s budget, MassHealth alone accounts for 65 per cent of the total spending increase over the FY25 budget.

 

Amid uncertainty in Washington, the Committee’s budget maintains access to comprehensive health care coverage for over 2 million of the Commonwealth’s residents. MassHealth covers affordable, accessible, and comprehensive health care services for more than 1 in 4 residents, nearly half of all children, and 7 out of every 10 nursing facility residents.

 

Other health investments include:

• $3.2 billion for a range of services and focused support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including $2 billion for community residential services and $288 million for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Community Day and Work program.​
• $1.73 billion to support the Personal Care Attendant program and its historic collective bargaining agreement which raised the wage scale to $25 per hour.
• $690 million for adult support services, including $15.5 million to support jail diversion initiatives to better serve individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders and connect them with appropriate treatment.
• $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.
• $386.4 million for Department of Mental Health (DMH) hospital and community-based services, including $4.8 million to fully fund the operation of the Pocasset Mental Health Center.
• $237.7 million for Department of Public Health (DPH) hospital operations, including $31 million to fully fund and maintain operations of the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children through the duration of FY26.
• $179.6 million for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), including $1.5 million in new funding to develop the state’s recovery coach workforce, which will support key initiatives from last session’sSubstance Use Disorder and Recovery Coach Licensure Act.
• $131.6 million for children’s mental health services.
• $102 million for nursing facility enhanced Medicaid rates to begin the implementation of last session’s Long-Term Care Act.
• $79.9 million for domestic violence prevention services.
• $39.3 million for early intervention services, maintaining necessary support and services for infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.
• $35 million for Family Resource Centers to maintain mental health resources available to families.
• $29.5 million for grants to local Councils on Aging to increase assistance per elder to $16 from $15 in FY25.
• $26.3 million for family and adolescent health, including $11.2 million for comprehensive family planning services and $6.7 million to enhance federal Title X family planning funding.
• $22.6 million for school-based health programming and services.

• $20 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives.

• $14.3 million for suicide prevention and intervention, with an additional $1 million for Samaritans Inc. and $1.1 million for the Call2Talk suicide prevention hotline. This investment protects and fully funds 9-8-8, the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline.
• $14 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.
• $12.7 million for Meals on Wheels and other nutrition programs for seniors.
• $6 million for Social Emotional Learning Grants to help K-12 schools bolster social emotional learning support for students.
• $5.5 million for children advocacy centers to maintain critical support available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused.
• $5 million for workforce support for community health centers, including loan forgiveness.
• $3.9 million for the Office of the Child Advocate.
• $3.8 million for the Massachusetts Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma.
• $2.5 million for veterans’ mental and behavioral health services through the Home Base program.
• $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety.

Expanding and Protecting Opportunities

The Senate remains committed to expanding opportunity and supporting the state’s most vulnerable residents. The Committee’s FY26 budget recommendation therefore includes maintaining the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing $500 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year. The budget also fully annualizes the FY25 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 to help families move out of deep poverty.

 

In addition, the Senate’s budget dedicates $82 million in critical funding to support food security and child nutrition initiatives, including $42 million forEmergency Food Assistance to assist residents in navigating the historical levels in food insecurity, and $25.4 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to ensure access to healthy food options.

 

Economic opportunity investments include:

• $467 million for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and $209 million for Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to provide the necessary support as caseloads increase, which annualizes the deep poverty increases implemented in the FY25 budget.
• $142.9 million for Department of Transitional Assistance caseworkers to protect access to crucial financial assistance, food support, and employment and training programs for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
• $59.4 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.
• $25.4 million for the Healthy Incentives Program to support healthy food access for households in need.
• $20.6 million for employment services programs to help low-income people move toward economic independence through pathways of self-sufficiency.
• $15.5 million for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.
• $9 million for career technical institutes to increase the state’s skilled worker population and provide residents with access to career technical training opportunities, which will combine with$12.3 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.
• $4.8 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to training and post-secondary opportunities in the industry sector with a focus on STEM fields.
• $1 million for employment programs for young adults with disabilities. 

Housing

As the state envisions a more fiscally sustainable path for its future, increasing affordable housing opportunities and addressing housing challenges remain at the forefront of the Senate’s agenda. The Committee’s budget therefore invests more than $1.16 billion in housing initiatives, dedicating resources for housing stability, residential assistance, emergency shelter services, and homelessness assistance programs.  The Senate Ways and Means Committee budget deploys a humane, responsible, and sustainable approach to support families and individuals in need with affordable, safe, and secure housing options.

 

Housing investments include:

• $253 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP).
• $116 million for local housing authorities.
• $110.7 million for assistance for homeless individual shelters.
• $57.3 million for the HomeBASE program to support sustainable exits from shelter.
• $27.7 million for homeless programs administration to support continued exits from the Emergency Assistance shelter system.
• $19.5 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), providing rental assistance to people with disabilities.
• $15.6 million for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
• $10.5 million for assistance for unaccompanied homeless youth.
• $10 million for sponsor-based supportive permanent housing to support 16 new housing units and case management services for vulnerable individuals.
• $8.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including funding to support homeless LGBTQ youth.
• $6.5 million in continued support for resident service coordinators to help residents maintain stable tenancies at local housing authorities, which are required to provide households with the services they need.

In addition to these investments in housing, the Committee’s budget includes a provision—on which the Senate has consistently led—requiring that residential rental broker’s fees must be paid by the contracting agent, often the landlord of an apartment, ensuring that renters are not burdened with unexpected and extraordinary costs. The Senate first passed this proposal last session.

 

Senators may file amendments to the Senate Ways and Means recommendations through 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9. Following introductory speeches on Monday, May 19, the Senate will debate the FY26 budget proposal in a formal session beginning Tuesday, May 20.

 

The FY26 Senate Ways and Means budget recommendations are available on the Massachusetts Legislature’s website:https://malegislature.gov/Budget/SenateWaysMeansBudget.

 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

MAYOR MICHELLE WU CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS MONTH City hosting Small Business Resource Fair for businesses to learn more about existing City programs and resources on May 8

BOSTON – Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Small Business launched Small Business Month, an annual opportunity to highlight how local businesses shape our neighborhoods and recognize the ecosystem and support network throughout the city. The month will feature a slate of events, resources, and curated social media content grounded in the theme “City of Opportunities.” The City of Boston is home to 18,000 small businesses that employ 127,000 people and generate close to $28 billion each year.  “Small businesses are the foundation of our community and vital to the functioning of our city,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This month we celebrate all of the small businesses right here in Boston and showcase the relentless work they do to fuel our communities.” Through the Office of Small Business, the City seeks to provide support to businesses owners in various ways in order to enhance their economic impact on our communities. Since 2022, the City has provided more than $20 million in critical grant relief to over 1,500 small businesses through initiatives like the Small Business Relief Fund, SPACE, and ReFresh. The City also continues to provide other important assistance such as providing over 8,300 hours of one-on-one Technical Assistance for over 350 businesses; funding over 50 ReStore signage and facade renovation projects; and streamlining the process and reducing financial barriers for participation in the annual Outdoor Dining program.  "As Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Professional Licensure — and as a small business owner myself — I know firsthand the grit, creativity, and determination it takes to build something from the ground up,” said District 4 Boston City Councilor, Brian Worrell. “In Boston, small businesses aren’t just economic engines — they’re cultural anchors. They bring life to our corridors, from Blue Hill Avenue to Washington Street to Fields Corner. But too often, our entrepreneurs face barriers that stall progress and stifle potential. That’s why Small Business Month can’t just be a celebration — it has to be a call to action. Programs like the Resilient Recovery Fund and Biz-M-Power are steps in the right direction. But reports like the City’s Disparity Study and the 'Barriers to Business' report make it clear: equity can’t be seasonal — it has to be structural, sustained, and built into the way we do business in Boston every single day."  Throughout Small Business Month, events will celebrate and support the small business ecosystem across Boston. City-led programming include:  City of Boston Small Business Resource Fair Thursday, May 8 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Location: DotHouse Health, 1353 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester Register to attend here Small Business Solutions Technical Assistance Consultation Hours Friday, May 9, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Location: Virtual. RSVP for a consultation here Annual Legacy Business Award Ceremony and Reception Tuesday, June 3, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Location: Calderwood Pavilion, 527 Tremont Street, South End Register to attend here “Mayor Wu and the Office of Small Business have worked to strengthen our local firms by providing them the three critical resources they need: access to capital, technical assistance, and markets,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion for the City of Boston. “Small Business Month is another way for the City to both celebrate the achievements of our business owners, who bring so much vibrancy to our neighborhoods and commercial cores, and to continue connecting them to the important offerings that we have available, for the betterment of our community.” Through Small Business Month events, the Office of Small Business will connect small businesses with City departments and other local resources and offer support through technical assistance office hours.  “While we celebrate Small Business Month throughout  May, at the Office of Small Business, we are supporting small businesses through programming, and resources all year long,” said Aliesha Porcena, Director of Small Business for the City of Boston. “We are creating a place where business owners can receive support throughout their business’s lifecycle.  Boston is opportunity unleashed. This month is just a taste of the vibrant, energized small business ecosystem we're igniting across Boston.” In addition to the events spearheaded by the City, Small Business Month will also feature 13 events led by Boston Means Business, a grant opportunity for community-led activations. The Office of Small Business awarded organizations up to $9,500 for events that provide small business owners and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow, thrive, or celebrate success.  “This grant helps us build on that momentum and expand how we support small businesses, artists, and creatives, with a focus on those led by women, through intentional programming, creative platforms, and safe spaces to simply be and feel inspired,” said Therlande Louissaint and Marlyn Urquiza, co-founders of SIDE Presents. “We are grateful to receive this grant from the City. It is a meaningful sign that we are on the right path and a reminder to keep building a business that serves not just us, but our entire community.” Grant applications launched in March 2025. During the three week application period, 68 nonprofits applied for the grant. The selected recipients submitted proposals that demonstrated a knowledge of Boston’s multifaceted small business community and proposed innovative activations in education, retail opportunities, and platforms for collaboration. The Boston Means Business Grants—and all Small Business Month activations—aim to celebrate and support small businesses.  "The City of Boston has been an incredible partner in maintaining and expanding our business,” said James Razsa of Democracy Brewing. “With the City's help we have been able to gain access to amazing marketing support and workforce development. I can absolutely say with confidence we would not be adding a second location right now if it were not for the City of Boston." Throughout the month, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion will also share information about Small Business programs, connecting entrepreneurs with the tools and guidance to successfully start, grow, and build a business in Boston.

Boston Athletic Association Awards $125,000 in the spring round of B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Program

 Boston Athletic Association Awards $125,000 in the spring round of B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Program

Boston - Ten organizations have received support from the 2025 spring edition of the B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Program and were celebrated at the Welcome Reception for the 129^th Boston Marathon on the Friday of race weekend.

Since the program’s inception in spring 2023, $650,000 has been awarded to organizations across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who align with the B.A.A.’s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities.

 

Nicole Juri, Director of Development at the B.A.A. said, “The ten selected organizations live out the mission of the B.A.A. every day and we are delighted to be able to support their wonderful work in their local communities. Together we can do more and have a greater impact across a wide range of activities, additional programing and support services.”

To date, 45 organizations have benefitted from B.A.A. Gives Back Grants.
The B.A.A. awards monetary grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 through an application process open to all nonprofit organizations that meet the following criteria:

• Organization is a registered 501(c)(3) or a public agency.
• Organization is not political.
• Organization's program advances the B.A.A.'s mission of promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running, in order to build healthy communities.
• Organization is located in and serves residents of Massachusetts.

 

The next round of grant applications will launch in the fall of 2025.

Find out more information HERE.

Spring 2025 B.A.A. Gives Back Grant Recipients:
Active Kids & Minds, Inc.
Active Social Communities DBA Volo Kids Foundation
Boston Police Activities League Inc.
Charles River Watershed Association
Codman Academy Foundation
Fast Feet Running and Athletics, Inc.
Franciscan Children's Hospital
Keep Massachusetts Beautiful
Newton Athletes Unlimited (NAU)
Brookline Recreation Department

Governor Healey Thanks Departing Top Lawyer Paige Scott Reed, Appoints Jesse M. Boodoo as Chief Legal Counsel

 Governor Healey Thanks Departing Top Lawyer Paige Scott Reed, Appoints Jesse M. Boodoo as Chief Legal Counsel 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today is thanking her Chief Legal Counsel, Paige Scott Reed, who has announced that she will leave the administration this month to return to the private sector. Governor Healey has appointed Jesse M. Boodoo to be Scott Reed’s successor.  

Paige Scott Reed was one of Governor Healey’s first appointments in December 2022. She is the first African American woman to lead the Governor’s legal office. Scott Reed has been a key part of the mechanics of bringing great ideas to fruition right from the beginning. She brought together a team of lawyers from across secretariats to draft effective legislation as Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll worked to drive greater affordability and transform housing, beginning with the creation of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.  

Scott Reed and her team, which included a historically diverse and richly talented Judicial Nominating Commission, also shepherded an impressive collection of judges through the judicial nominating process. Governor Healey has appointed two Supreme Judicial Court Justices, three Appeals Court justices, and more than 60 judges overall, not to mention a historic register of probate, three additions to the Parole Board, and several clerk magistrates. Scott Reed has earned the steady support of the Governor’s Council and the appreciation of the judiciary.   

“I’m deeply grateful to Paige Scott Reed for her service to our administration and to the people of Massachusetts. She leaves an enduring legacy – from the lives that have been transformed because of her work on clemency to the dozens of judges she helped nominate to the bench whose decisions will shape our state for generations to come. We wish her the absolute best in her next steps,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Jesse Boodoo has been a trusted advisor to me for years, and he has a track record of bringing people together and getting results. We are thrilled to see him step into this new role.” 

“Paige and Jesse are both valued members of our team and their leadership has had positive impacts for our administration and the people of Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We thank Paige for her outstanding service and wish her luck going forward. We are excited to see all that Jesse will accomplish as Chief Legal Counsel.” 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration brought a renewed focus to executive clemency and the work of the Parole Board. During Scott Reed’s tenure, Governor Healey pardoned 21 individuals and issued a blanket pardon for simple marijuana convictions that is impacting hundreds of thousands of people. This month, Governor Healey announced four more pardons that will soon be considered by the Governor’s Council. Because of this historic work, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has made more equitable use of pardon power, reworked the Governor’s new clemency guidelines to be more just and effective, and nominated Parole Board members with the experience, knowledge, and commitment to support the process of rehabilitation and reentry. The Parole Board is also more reflective of the diversity of Massachusetts and more energized to do hard reentry work. 

“It has been an incredible honor to work for Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and this entire administration,” said Paige Scott Reed. “I'm proud of the work we have done together to create a stronger Massachusetts and make a positive difference in the lives of so many people. I know the Governor's Office will be in good hands with Jesse Boodoo as Chief Legal Counsel, and I look forward to seeing all that the team will continue to get done in the years ahead.” 

Prior to joining the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Scott Reed was a Partner at Prince Lobel Tye LLP and had previously worked as General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the MBTA and also served as Corporate Secretary and General Counsel to the Boston 2024 Partnership for the city’s Olympic bid. She received her A.B. from Harvard College and her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she was an Executive Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Scott Reed is also a past president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association. 

Jesse Boodoo currently serves as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel in the Governor’s Office, where he advises on a wide range of legal matters and is one of the principal legal advisors to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Since the early days of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Boodoo has helped lead the Governor’s Legal Office, supervising the legal departments of secretariats, overseeing major litigation involving the executive branch, and directing the review and drafting of legislation. 

“I’m honored to be appointed Chief Legal Counsel by Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll,” said Jesse Boodoo. “I’m grateful for Paige’s leadership and guidance these past couple of years. I look forward to the opportunity to build on her important work to faithfully represent the Governor’s Office, nominate highly qualified judges to the courts and advance clemency recommendations that are rooted in equity and fairness.” 

Previously, Boodoo served as Managing Attorney of the Trial Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, representing state agencies, public officials, and employees in matters involving employment issues, civil rights, administrative law, wrongful convictions, and ballot initiatives. He also served as Acting General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the MBTA, worked as a litigator at Ropes & Gray focusing on civil and criminal appellate work, and clerked on the Massachusetts Appeals Court. 

Boodoo has held numerous volunteer roles, including as a member and former Vice Chair of the Board of Bar Overseers and a member of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brown University and a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law. He resides in Newton with his wife and two children. 

Elected Leaders, Healthcare Providers, and Neighbors Demand Action on World Asthma Day

 Elected Leaders, Healthcare Providers, and Neighbors Demand Action on World Asthma Day 

EAST BOSTON: A large crowd, including families with young children, gathered at Maverick Landing on World Asthma Day to rally in support of legislation addressing the dangerous levels of toxic air pollution in Environmental Justice communities. Elected leaders, including State Representative Adrian Madaro and Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, as well as pediatricians, advocates, neighbors, and youth leaders spoke out demanding passage of two bills to increase air monitoring in pollution hot spots and create enforceable pollution reduction targets in those communities: An Act to ensure cleaner air for communities overburdened by outdoor air pollution (S.1584/H.2639) and An Act to improve indoor air quality for highly-impacted communities (S.1546/H.2427). Additionally, local healthcare organizations and advocacy groups shared immediate steps neighbors can take to protect their families’ health including DIY air filters and information sessions on how to properly use inhalers. 

"Asthma is a growing public health crisis, made worse by air pollution that disproportionately affects our most vulnerable residents. I’m excited to join community members and advocates at the World Asthma Day Rally for Clean Air to raise awareness about air pollution and how we can protect our health together. I remain committed to advancing policies that promote better air quality and a healthier environment for all." -City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata (District 1). 

"As a parent in East Boston, which houses the highest rates of childhood asthma in Greater Boston, hosting the Clean Air Rally on World Asthma Day in our community was incredibly meaningful. We want to finally see legislation passed to protect our kids from the effects of our reliance on fossil fuels, especially as none passed during the last legislative cycle. We need to keep the fight going." -Sonja Tengblad, Mothers Out Front East Boston. 

“Families in overburdened neighborhoods have asked for clean air legislation again and again and then watched as bills languish. And now Trump has cut $1 million in grants intended to address the asthma crisis in Western Mass. We’re rallying today because we need the legislature to act with urgency to pass S.1584/H.2639 and S.1546/H.2427. No child should struggle to breathe because of their zip code.” -Emma Weis, Clean Water Action. 

“Every day we see children struggling to breathe after smoggy days, temperature swings, or exposure to allergens, dust, and smoke. We see them miss school because of uncontrolled asthma, despite doing everything right. We see families forced to move or make impossible decisions just to protect their children’s lungs,” said Dr. Shalini Shah, a pediatrician and environmental health expert at Boston Children’s Hospital. “Our children deserve homes that don’t make them sick, schools that are safe, and communities that are prepared to protect their health in a changing climate. Let’s make sure that every child in Massachusetts—no matter their zip code or background—can grow up breathing healthy air.” 

“Here in Boston, and across the Commonwealth, we see air pollution suffocating our residents. Whether from planes, trains, cars, or buildings, air pollution harms our health. Sometimes, it even sends our residents to the emergency room, which costs all of us money. Air pollution in schools makes it harder for our children to learn. It has never been more critical to invest in the life-saving air pollution measurement and reduction our families need. It's why we rally on World Asthma Justice Day year after year.” -Hessann Farooqi, Boston Climate Action Network 

"On World Asthma Day, we gather to demonstrate our commitment to clean air and healthier communities. Asthma is a daily challenge for too many, and ACE is committed to empowering residents to protect their health while demanding policy changes to ensure safe, breathable for all."  -Tristan Thomas, Alternatives for Community and Environment 

波士頓慈濟人文學校慶祝母親節 小朋友獻花奉茶行孝道

慈濟人文學校家長及師生合影，慶祝母親節。(周菊子攝)

       (Boston Orange周菊子麻州報導) 波士頓慈濟人文學校5月4日在貝德福市 （Bedford）高中校址，慶祝母親節，從幼小班到9年級，有近百學生分班次，依序上台向母親獻花，奉茶儀式，隆重的發揚孝親精神，場面極之溫馨。

慈青演唱手語歌。(周菊子攝)

      由於波士頓慈濟人文學校校長鄧淑芳當天人在臺灣，慶祝母親節活動由波士頓慈濟聯絡處負責人長金滿開場，馮美霞主持，簡小芳帶唱手語歌，黃湘霏，陳筠媞，黃秝淇，吳建發，陳裕逢，李豐等人安排小朋友獻花，奉茶。

       

波士頓慈濟聯絡處負責人長金滿開場致詞。（周菊子攝）

     長金滿師姐代表校長，慈濟基金會的所有師兄姐，歡迎家長們帶小朋友出席慶祝母親節活動，提醒眾人5月10日慈濟將在牛頓市會所舉辦三節合一的浴佛節慶祝會，藉以感謝佛恩，父母恩，眾生恩。她還特地感謝僑委會提供許多資源協助慈濟辦理人文學校，感謝家長及老師們為小朋友們學習中文的付出。

       波士頓僑教中心主任高家富主任當天應邀出席，致詞時稱許波士頓慈濟小朋友們參加世界地球日靜思語畫作比賽的成果，重申馮美霞師姐闡述的母親節意義，指出母親懷抱永遠是子女的最佳避風港灣，祝福慈濟人文學校校務昌隆。

馮美霞主持波士頓慈濟母親節活動。（周菊子攝）

       高家富主任還特地介紹僑委會的『i僑卡』，說明這張卡具有2重功能，一是持卡在海內外許多商家消費，可以享有優惠，二是代表認同中華民國，認同臺灣及僑委會，可用以簡潔便利的報名參加僑委會所辦各項活動。

       在馮美霞師姐告訴小朋友，母親是最美，最溫柔的天使，邀家長上座，請小朋友端著放有一朵康乃馨，一杯茶，一塊小蛋糕的捧盤，列隊上前，獻給自己的母親後，簡小芳師姐帶慈少演繹手語歌，呈現跪羊圖，還解釋慈濟重視手語歌，緣於證嚴上人訪視貧苦時，遇到聾啞人，無法溝通，從此要求慈濟人學習手語，以期將來遇到聾啞人時，也能溝通無礙。許多家長看到慈少們表演，忍不住讚嘆，感動。

波士頓慈濟人文學校慶祝母親節。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富介紹i僑卡。(周菊子攝)

黃湘霏帶慈青服務。（周菊子攝）

簡小方說明慈濟重視手語歌緣由。（周菊子攝）

慈祐也向母親獻花，奉茶。（周菊子攝）

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富（左三）介紹『i僑卡』。（周菊子攝）

波士頓慈濟人文學校為學生們準備好康乃馨，
一杯茶及糕點。 （周菊子攝）

慈濟的小朋友們從小學習母親節，行孝道。（周菊子攝）

金花師姐喝一口外孫女奉上的清茶。（周菊子攝）

小朋友獻花奉茶後和母親合影。（周菊子攝）