Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey Signs $60.9B Budget Boosting Healthcare, Education, Transportation

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the $60.9 billion Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, which increases spending by over 5% but is more than $1 billion less than her original proposal due to federal funding uncertainties. The budget prioritizes funding for healthcare, education, transportation, and housing, including nearly $2.4 billion from the Fair Share surtax for early education, transit improvements, and housing assistance programs. Key policy changes include eliminating renters-paid broker fees, shifting those fees to landlords, and maintaining free school meals and fare-free regional transit. To address fiscal challenges, Healey vetoed $130 million in spending, halted planned pay raises for non-union managers, and extended an executive branch hiring freeze, saving $17 million. The administration also plans to delay $125 million in district project payments and has proposed measures to further mitigate potential impacts from federal budget cuts, especially on Medicaid. Healey expressed concerns about President Donald Trump's recently signed federal domestic policy bill, which she believes could harm state healthcare and SNAP benefits.