The Joint Committee on Ways and Means has now held six hearings on Governor Maura Healey’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget.
#1 – March 6: Initial hearing in Gardner Auditorium in the State House
Featuring Governor Maura Healey, the Executive Office of Administration and Finance, and Constitutional Officers.
Watch the recording here.
I’m pictured asking Governor Maura Healey about what she’s doing to prepare for and respond to federal cuts and upheaval.
#2 – March 10: Economic Development, Housing, and Labor hearing in Gloucester
Featuring the Economic Development, Housing, and Labor Secretariats, Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Board of Library Commissioners, the Commission on the Status of Women, and more.
Watch the recording here.
I am pictured below thanking the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for going above and beyond to support library construction in our district despite cost escalations due to the pandemic.
#3 – March 24: Education and Local Aid hearing in Amherst
Featuring the Education Secretariat, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Associate of School Committees, Massachusetts Municipal Association, Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Teachers Association, and more.
Watch the recording here.
I co-chaired this hearing, and wrote a summary of the hearing here.
I am pictured below asking about the inequities in the K-12 school funding formula.
#4 – March 25: Health and Human Services 1.0 hearing in Worcester
Featuring the Executive Office of Veteran Services (Including Soldiers Homes), Dept. of Children and Families (DCF), Dept. of Developmental Services (DDS), Dept. of Transitional Assistance (DTA), Dept. of Youth Services (DYS), and more.
Watch the recording here.
I am pictured below asking the DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue about cuts to the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP).
#5 – March 28: Public Safety and Judiciary hearing in Clinton
Featuring the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Judiciary, District Attorneys, and more.
Watch the recording here.
I am pictured asking EOPSS Secretary Reidy about the increased costs of police training and the impact on small town budgets.
#6 – March 31: Energy and Environment and Transportation hearing in Barnstable
Featuring the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and more.
Watch the recording here.
I am pictured asking Transportation Secretary Tibbits-Nutt about progress on the Northern Tier Passenger Rail project.
There are two more upcoming hearings, #7 on April 7 in Attleboro featuring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and a public hearing on April 8 at the State House with an opportunity for public testimony.
