Over the last weeks, Governor Maura Healey has filed six major pieces of legislation. In addition to a spending bill that she filed back in July, that’s a lot to keep track of. Below is a quick-hit primer to help you stay up-to-date and engage as deeply as you want to:
A fiscal year 2027 budget proposal
Bill Name: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2027
Bill Number: H.2
Where is the bill in the legislative process?
The bill was filed by Governor Healey and her administration on January 28. It is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means for its consideration. There will be a Joint Committee on Ways and Means hearing on February 11 — the first of eight hearings, six of which will be held at locations across the state. I will be chairing one at UMass Amherst in March focused on energy, the environment, and transportation. Stay tuned for more information on the budget and budget process.
Additional resources:
The Governor and her team compiled resources here.
MassBudget’s analysis is available here.
Check out the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute’s analysis here.
More from the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation here.
What does this legislation do?
This is the Governor’s proposal for our Commonwealth’s budget for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The proposal includes $62.8 billion in appropriations for the coming fiscal year. This budget comes at a time where Massachusetts is grappling with devastating federal funding cuts. My team and I are working to digest and understand the impact of this proposal, and will deliver a more comprehensive budget blog soon.
A mid-year supplemental budget
Bill Name: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for responding to recent federal actions
Bill Number: H.5050
Where is the bill in the legislative process?
The bill was filed by Governor Healey and her administration on January 29. It is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means for its consideration.
What does this legislation do?
This supplemental budget allocates funds for programs where costs are coming in higher than anticipated during the current fiscal year, like the Group Insurance Commission’s premium and plan costs, Department of Transitional Assistance caseworkers, and more. Included in the policy section of the supp budget is language to keep ICE out of protected places where people should feel safe — including courthouses, schools, child care programs, hospitals, and places of worship.
A Fair Share supplemental budget
Bill Name: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects
Bill Number: H.5033
Where is the bill in the legislative process?
The bill was filed by Governor Healey and her administration on January 28. It is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means for its consideration.
Additional resources on the bill:
MassBudget’s analysis is available here.
Check out this press release from the Governor on this Fair Share supp and the FY27 budget.
What does this legislation do?
This supplemental budget allocates $1.15 billion in excess revenue generated from the Fair Share surtax. This funding will be distributed to transportation and education initiatives, and my team and I are ready to fight to ensure that western and north central Massachusetts communities receive their ‘fair share’ of this funding (regional transit authorities, microtransit, unpaved roads, special education reimbursement, public higher education financial assistance, and more). Included in this supp budget is a new tax credit, based on legislation I have filed for several sessions, of up to $5,000 for farms and farmers that donate food to food distribution centers (food pantries, food banks, etc.). I am thrilled that this policy is included in the Governor’s proposal.
A supplemental budget from July
Bill Name: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects
Bill Number: H.4251
Where is the bill in the legislative process?
The bill was filed by Governor Healey and her administration on July 7, 2025, as a companion to the FY26 budget she signed on July 4, 2025. It is currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means for its consideration.
What does this legislation do?
This supplemental budget was filed to address some time-sensitive pressures caused by the federal One Big [Brutal] Bill. Through this supp budget, the Governor sought authority to make mid-year Group Insurance Commission plan changes in response to skyrocketing costs associated with GLP-1 use, in addition to appropriating $30 million to the Housing Stabilization and Preservation Trust Fund to support housing programs, updating the definition of routine childhood immunizations to cover children up to age 19, and more.
A transportation bond bill
Bill Name: An Act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges
Bill Number: H.4987
Where is the bill in the legislative process?
The bill was filed by Governor Healey and her administration on January 23. It is currently before the Joint Committee on Transportation for its consideration.
What does this legislation do?
This bill authorizes $2.3 billion in transportation capital spending and bonds, including $1.2 billion for construction and reconstruction of municipal roads and bridges.
A bill protecting Massachusetts revenues
Bill Name: An Act to manage federal tax changes in Massachusetts
Bill Number: H.4975
Where is the bill in the legislative process?
The bill was filed by Governor Healey and her administration on January 15, in response to some of the tax changes included in the federal One Big [Brutal] Bill (OB3). It is currently before the Joint Committee on Revenue for its consideration.
The Joint Committee on Revenue will be holding a public hearing on this bill on February 12. Details on the hearing and how to testify can be found here.
What does this legislation do?
The tax cuts included in OB3 would cost Massachusetts about $463 million in revenue in FY26 alone. This bill delays the implementation of the five most costly corporate tax cuts included in the federal bill to protect state revenues.
