Budget upholds ongoing fiscal responsibility, protects core services, and reinforces the state’s economic foundation in the face of federal uncertainty
(BOSTON—6/30/2025) Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) cast an affirmative vote as both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature today enacted a $61.01 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, a fiscally responsible plan that protects core services for the state’s most vulnerable residents, maintains critical investments, and positions the Commonwealth to confront the underlying budget challenges that are a result of federal funding uncertainty.
Approved on a bipartisan basis in both chambers, the budget neither raises taxes on residents and businesses nor spends dollars from the state’s stabilization fund—also known as the ‘Rainy Day Fund’—which currently stands at a historic $8.1 billion. The budget also includes strong policy reforms and local investments in the communities of the 4th Middlesex district: Arlington, Billerica, Burlington, Lexington and Woburn.
“As we confront uncertainty around federal funding that the state has relied upon to help provide services to residents for many years, this budget funds important priorities while also providing us the flexibility to address areas of need throughout the fiscal year.” said Senator Friedman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Steering and Policy. “Throughout the fiscal year, I will be paying especially close attention to any federal changes that result in a loss of critical Medicaid dollars that fund health care for millions of Bay Staters. Despite this unpredictability, this budget makes targeted investments in the programs and services that we know make the Commonwealth such a great place to live and includes policy changes that will further improve our quality of life.… Read more.