Governor Maura Healey has signed the 60-billion-dollar budget passed by the state legislature into law.
The governor did veto 130 million dollars in spending in the budget on Friday, and announced that an executive branch hiring freeze will remain in effect for the full 2026 fiscal year.
"I’m proud to sign a budget that is fiscally responsible and protects what makes Massachusetts special,” said Governor Healey. “I’m grateful to the Legislature for their strong partnership and efficient work to develop and pass this budget for the people we serve. In Massachusetts, we are continuing to lead and do what we know works – focusing on lowering costs, protecting essential care and services, and moving our economy forward by investing in housing, transportation and our schools. We are also signing this budget in a moment of great dysfunction in Washington. The President is poised to sign a bill that’s going to kick hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents off their health care, increase energy and groceries prices, and cost people their jobs.”
“This is a fiscally responsible budget that will make Massachusetts more affordable,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It saves renters thousands of dollars by eliminating broker’s fees, makes regional transit free, keeps community college cost-free, increases financial aid at state schools, makes it easier to find child care and protects free school meals.”
Healey also says a two percent pay increase for thousands of executive branch managers are being canceled because of current fiscal uncertainty.
The new budget raises spending by around five percent over levels in the previous fiscal year that ended last week.
(Photo: Joshua Qualls, The Governor's Office)