MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES 2025 OPEN STREETS AND OPEN NEWBURY EVENTS

 MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES 2025 OPEN STREETS AND OPEN NEWBURY EVENTS

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced the 2025 Open Streets Series and the return of Open Newbury. This summer and fall, Open Streets, the popular car-free event series, will return to Blue Hill Ave. in Roxbury, Centre Street in Jamaica Plain, Dorchester Ave. in Dorchester, and Hyde Park Ave. and River Street in Hyde Park. Additionally, on October 18, Mattapan will welcome Open Streets for the first time, with a stretch of Blue Hill Ave. closed to vehicular traffic to create room for community and play. Complementing Open Streets, Newbury Street will be again closed to vehicular traffic on 10 Sundays from July 13 to September 21 as well as one Sunday during the holiday shopping season on December 7.

Open Streets allow local businesses to expand into the street and safely make space for music, games, bicycling, and community tabling in Boston’s neighborhoods. During Open Newbury, thousands of pedestrians enjoy food, shopping, and dining along the mile-long, eight-block stretch from Berkeley Street to Mass. Ave. in the Back Bay. These events build on Mayor Wu’s commitment to reimagining our streets and making Boston the best city in the country for families. 

“I’m excited to announce the lineup for our fourth annual summer of Open Streets. When we see streets shut down to car traffic, community gets to take over, small businesses have tables out in the street, kids are running back and forth, music, dancing, food, it’s the best of what our public spaces look like,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Open Streets is all about creating opportunities for neighbors to spend time together and show off everything that makes your neighborhood special, to deepen relationships on your block and across communities.” 

All Open Streets events take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 9:00 a.m. and reopen at 4:00 p.m. Parking will be prohibited along the route from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This year’s Open Streets dates are as follows:

• Saturday, July 12 | Roxbury | Blue Hill Ave. from Warren Street to Quincy Street
• Sunday, August 10 | Hyde Park | Hyde Park Ave. and River Street to Fairmount Street and Davison Street
• Sunday, September 14 | Dorchester | Dorchester Ave. from Ashmont Street to Adams Street
• Saturday, October 18 | Mattapan | Blue Hill Ave. from River Street to Babson Street
• Sunday, November 2 | Jamaica Plain | Centre Street from Lamartine to South Street 

During Open Newbury, Newbury Street will be car-free from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Parking will be prohibited along the route beginning at 5:00 a.m. This year’s Open Newbury dates are as follows:

• Sunday, July 13
• Sunday, July 20
• Sunday, July 27
• Sunday, August 3
• Sunday, August 10
• Sunday, August 17
• Sunday, August 24
• Sunday, September 7
• Sunday, September 14
• Sunday, September 21
• Sunday, December 7

"Opening our streets makes it possible for residents to engage with their neighborhood in a new way, or to explore a new part of the City for the first time,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. “We've seen how local communities can flourish when we create a safe environment for walking, biking, and recreation. I'm excited for this year's expansion of the program."

“Our annual Open Streets events give us an opportunity to make Mayor Wu’s vision of Boston as a home for everyone a lived reality,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “This safe, successful, and celebratory event amplifies the neighborly spirit of our communities, and continues to bring needed customers and capital to our local small businesses. Our team is grateful to be able to work with our colleagues across the City as well as our partners in the community to make this hallmark event part of the fabric of the Boston experience.” 

Over the course of the 2025 season, the City will engage residents and small business owners in other neighborhoods to determine if there are additional opportunities to expand the reach of Open Streets.

“Places for community gathering and belonging are incredibly important in these tumultuous times, and I’m proud our city is creating the space to showcase our neighborhoods’ brilliance, talents, and entrepreneurial spirit,” said State Senator Liz Miranda. “Open Streets has become an important annual celebration that we are proud of and we’re thrilled to see the addition of Mattapan in this year’s schedule!” 

“I’m thrilled that Open Streets is coming to Mattapan,” said State Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid. “This celebration is a beautiful way to uplift the culture, creativity, and community spirit that make Mattapan special. It’s an opportunity for families to connect, for small businesses to shine, and for all of us to come together in joy and pride. I’m grateful to the City for recognizing the vibrancy of Mattapan and including us in this year’s lineup.”

"I am very excited for the return of Open Streets because community members are very excited about the return of Open Streets,” said Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune. “The local vendors, the children's activities, the joy - they all work together to activate our neighborhoods and transform streets into gathering spots for young and old. It's a reminder that our streets and urban design should be about people, and how we bring them together."

“We are so excited to finally have Open Streets coming to Mattapan! Our streets are not just for cars—they’re for people, for families, and for the community to come together, celebrate, and enjoy everything our neighborhood has to offer,” said City Councilor Enrique Pepén. “This is a powerful step toward reclaiming public space and making it more accessible, vibrant, and inclusive. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible—we can’t wait to see Mattapan come alive on Open Streets day!”

"I'm thrilled to see a plan for Open Streets, and the expansion of these days across the city. Connecting our Main Streets storefronts to customers is a great way to build community, increase business, and activate our neighborhoods,” said City Councilor Brian Worrell. 

The annual Open Streets series started during the summer of 2022 in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury. Open Streets Series contractor Shana Bryant Consulting, a Black- and woman-owned small business, works with the City of Boston to execute all events. 

"I want to extend my deepest thanks to the City of Boston, the Mayor’s Office, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion, and our incredible partners in the Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment for the opportunity to lead Open Streets Boston,” said Shana Bryant. “I'm especially thrilled to see Mattapan added to the route—my mom has been a homeowner there for over 30 years, so this feels deeply personal. This work is truly a privilege. We get to create joyful experiences, support hundreds of local vendors and partners, and help power Boston’s creative economy. We don’t take that responsibility lightly.”

Open Newbury was launched as a pilot in 2016. The City works with small business owners and residents of Back Bay to continuously improve the program. Traditionally held in the warmer months, last year the City expanded Open Newbury to winter dates to make holiday shopping more vibrant and support small businesses.

"The Back Bay Association welcomes the return of Open Newbury and appreciates the opportunity it brings for businesses to appeal to, and engage with visitors in unique ways," said Meg Mainzer-Cohen, President and Executive Director of the Back Bay Association. "The restaurants, retailers, and service businesses along the iconic street, and the entire Back Bay area, benefit from the exposure that Open Newbury provides and through the draw of new visitors, especially those who may not otherwise shop or dine in the neighborhood."

Open Streets programming varies by neighborhood, but all events will feature food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, interactive games, photo installations, exclusive performances and activations, and Pedicabs. For Open Newbury, the City encourages Newbury Street businesses to activate their outdoor spaces with programming such as family-friendly activities, pop-up parklets, and brand activations.

“Open Streets is an intergenerational, family-friendly event that represents the city's investment in Mattapan's vibrant people, organizations, and businesses,” said Community Engagement Chief Brianna Millor. “We are thrilled for the community to embrace this transformative event, which is rooted in joy and connection for everyone."

“We’ve participated in Open Streets every single year! It’s so beautiful to be in community with grown-ups and kids, laughing, dancing, singing and creating together. We look forward to it every year,” said Kyia and Al Watkins, owners of At Peace Arts.

Open Streets are community-oriented events, and welcome local volunteers. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, and other ways to get involved, visit the Open Streets webpage. 

Learn more about the Open Streets 2025 series. Learn more about Open Newbury.

Governor Healey Advances State’s AI Leadership with Major Investments in Massachusetts AI Hub

Governor Healey Advances State’s AI Leadership with Major Investments in Massachusetts AI Hub 

State announces funding for AI projects in Boston and Western Mass, new director for Massachusetts AI Hub 

Governor Maura Healey at the IBM THINK conference. (photo by Chutze Chou)

BOSTON – Today, during IBM’s Think 2025 conference in Boston, Governor Maura Healey announced major updates on the state’s effort to grow the artificial intelligence ecosystem in Massachusetts through the Massachusetts AI Hub. The Governor announced a $31 million state grant to expand access to sustainable high-performance computing that is necessary for AI innovation, the hiring of the first director of the AI Hub, and the exploration of a new partnership between the AI Hub, IBM and Red Hat to create a startup accelerator program for entrepreneurs to develop AI technologies and build cutting-edge AI businesses.  

Governor Healey launched the Massachusetts AI Hub, a groundbreaking effort to make Massachusetts a national leader in artificial intelligence innovation, in December 2024. This pioneering initiative leverages resources authorized in the Mass Leads Act to support AI initiatives and drive cutting-edge collaboration between government, industry, startups and academia, pursue solutions to the world’s most critical challenges, and unlock economic opportunity for businesses and residents across the state.   

 

“We are grateful to IBM for choosing Massachusetts for its global 2025 Think conference and we look forward to working together to strengthen Massachusetts’ rich network of investors and organizations focused on supporting AI entrepreneurs,” said Governor Healey. “Along with the investments we are making in the Massachusetts AI Hub, we are leveraging the expertise and resources at our disposal to advance the sector by promoting knowledge sharing and investing in intentional spaces for collaboration. Together, we’re positioning Massachusetts as a global leader in applied AI and creating a cohesive ecosystem that is innovative, responsible and has a high impact on our state’s economy." 

 
“The Massachusetts AI Hub will encourage companies and thought leaders to come together to solve the big challenges facing our world using AI,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Like so many other sectors of our technology and innovation economy, AI has the potential to change the way we live while also creating new, exciting partnerships. It’s necessary that we support this growth through centers of learning to bring people together.” 

 

Through the $31 million grant, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is partnering with Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center (MGHPCC) to create the Artificial Intelligence Compute Resources (AICR) environment at MGHPCC to supply the compute and data capacity necessary for AI innovation. AICR will allow public and private higher education institutions, startups and businesses in the innovation ecosystem, and the residents of Massachusetts to access vital AI infrastructure.  

 

AICR also cements a partnership between the state and MGHPCC’s six member universities, Boston University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts, and Yale University, to apply AI-driven innovation to specific sectors of the economy. Over the next five years, the partnership is expected involve joint investments from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the MGHPCC universities that will reach an estimated $120 million investment with the potential to grow. 

 

"It is great to see these new steps in the development of the Massachusetts AI Hub,” said John Goodhue, MGHPCC Executive Director. “The MGHPCC and its member universities are excited to be a part of this effort by the Healey-Driscoll administration to bring the combined energy and insights of government, industry and academia together to deliver near term progress, tempered by a long-term view, toward leadership in productive and responsible use of AI." 

 

Earlier today, Governor Healey announced that the Massachusetts AI Hub is pursuing a public-private partnership with IBM and Red Hat to establish an incubator for Massachusetts-based AI startups. This partnership aims to create a space to support startups and complement the larger ecosystem.  

 

“Artificial intelligence will be a key driver of economic opportunity over the next decade, and we look forward to bringing the Massachusetts AI Hub to life,” said Interim Economic Development Secretary Ashley Stolba. “Today’s announcements are another step towards capitalizing on our state’s unique opportunity to lead in the application of AI while building new companies and creating jobs. This important work will continue, and we look forward to working with IBM and Red Hat, MGHPCC, and the rest of the ecosystem.”  

 

“In the first meeting of the Governor’s Strategic AI Task Force, it was evident that Massachusetts is well-positioned to be a leader in AI. The rich technology ecosystem here has a history of advancing innovation for the greater good,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder, who also served as co-chair of the Task Force. “Within Massachusetts state government, we lead innovation with the resident digital experience as our North Star.  AI solutions that are adopted by state agencies are meant to enhance the delivery of government services, while ensuring that solutions meet strong AI procurement standards for safe and responsible AI. These efforts, combined with the leadership of the AI Hub, will keep Massachusetts in the lead.” 

 

Additionally, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative announced the hiring of Sabrina Mansur, an experienced leader in the AI industry, to serve as the inaugural executive director of the Massachusetts AI Hub to guide the Hub in its mission to create an ethical and thriving AI ecosystem across Massachusetts. Mansur is the former head of strategic planning and execution at Torc Robotics and has more than 20 years of experience leading strategy and technology development in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and other emerging technologies in the public and private sectors. Mansur started in the role on Monday, May 5. 
 

“MassTech welcomes Sabrina to lead this ambitious initiative that has so much potential for our state and region,” said Massachusetts Technology Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk. “Sabrina brings the expertise needed to build on the momentum for artificial intelligence in our state and to think through the uncharted territory in a measured way that will help unlock new opportunities in this sector." 

 

Today's news comes in the wake of other major statewide investments in artificial intelligence. In February 2025, MassTech launched the Massachusetts AI Models Innovation Challenge, which will provide more than $3 million in funding to support groundbreaking AI model development projects in critical sectors of the Massachusetts economy, including advanced manufacturing, climatetech, education, financial services, health care, life sciences, and robotics. In March 2025, MassTech announced a grant of more than $1.9 million through its Sector Spark program, which supports entrepreneur support organizations across the state, to Cambridge-based LabCentral, which will use some of the funds to launch the first “Applied AI” program targeting artificial intelligence breakthroughs in biotech.  

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.