Massachusetts state Senate leaders are proposing a $53 million increase in flexible funding for the state’s 351 cities and towns.The increase is part of a $1.376 billion local aid proposal, which the Senate Ways and Means Committee described as the highest “in state history.” It appears in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget recommendation, which is due to be released Tuesday. Senate leaders say that every municipality would see an increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid under their proposal. Local leaders can decide how to prioritize projects and spend the money. “This funding gives local leaders the flexibility to meet rising costs, maintain essential services, and invest in their residents, while prioritizing regional equity so Gateway Cities, rural communities, and suburbs all receive meaningful support,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement.Details of what each city and town could expect under the proposal are expected to be released with the Senate’s budget plan on Tuesday. The proposal comes as cities and towns report increasing financial pressure from expenses that have outpaced local revenue tools, according to the Senate announcement.“With this major investment, the Senate is delivering meaningful relief to 351 cities and towns feeling the weight of rising costs colliding with limited growth in municipal revenues, providing them breathing room from mounting fiscal challenges amidst continued federal uncertainty,” said Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.Since December, 15 cities and towns have held votes on proposals to raise taxes. In just those elections, more than $75 million in funding was at stake.According to a database maintained by the state Division of Local Services, more than half of the proposed Proposition 2 1/2 overrides were approved in those recent votes. Historically, more than half of override votes tend to fail. “Our municipalities need support to manage rising costs without shifting the burden onto residents,” Sen. Jo Comerford said in a statement, calling UGGA “a lifeline for cities and towns.”“This 53 million is a great step in the right direction, but we need more otherwise we’re going to continue to see especially in these small towns, cuts to public services,” said Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia. “In past years we found money in the sofa cushions. We don’t think that’s going to happen this year. So now we’re looking at what are the least terrible things we can do. Vacant positions we can eliminate, because what we really want to avoid is eliminating positions with people in them,” said Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson. Six members of the House and Senate are expected to meet in a conference committee to hash out the differences between the budget proposals from the two sides of the legislature.
Massachusetts state Senate leaders are proposing a $53 million increase in flexible funding for the state’s 351 cities and towns.
The increase is part of a $1.376 billion local aid proposal, which the Senate Ways and Means Committee described as the highest “in state history.” It appears in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget recommendation, which is due to be released Tuesday.
Senate leaders say that every municipality would see an increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid under their proposal. Local leaders can decide how to prioritize projects and spend the money.
“This funding gives local leaders the flexibility to meet rising costs, maintain essential services, and invest in their residents, while prioritizing regional equity so Gateway Cities, rural communities, and suburbs all receive meaningful support,” Senate President Karen Spilka said in a statement.
Details of what each city and town could expect under the proposal are expected to be released with the Senate’s budget plan on Tuesday.
The proposal comes as cities and towns report increasing financial pressure from expenses that have outpaced local revenue tools, according to the Senate announcement.
“With this major investment, the Senate is delivering meaningful relief to 351 cities and towns feeling the weight of rising costs colliding with limited growth in municipal revenues, providing them breathing room from mounting fiscal challenges amidst continued federal uncertainty,” said Sen. Michael J. Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Since December, 15 cities and towns have held votes on proposals to raise taxes. In just those elections, more than $75 million in funding was at stake.
According to a database maintained by the state Division of Local Services, more than half of the proposed Proposition 2 1/2 overrides were approved in those recent votes. Historically, more than half of override votes tend to fail.
“Our municipalities need support to manage rising costs without shifting the burden onto residents,” Sen. Jo Comerford said in a statement, calling UGGA “a lifeline for cities and towns.”
“This 53 million is a great step in the right direction, but we need more otherwise we’re going to continue to see especially in these small towns, cuts to public services,” said Fitchburg Mayor Sam Squailia.
“In past years we found money in the sofa cushions. We don’t think that’s going to happen this year. So now we’re looking at what are the least terrible things we can do. Vacant positions we can eliminate, because what we really want to avoid is eliminating positions with people in them,” said Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson.
Six members of the House and Senate are expected to meet in a conference committee to hash out the differences between the budget proposals from the two sides of the legislature.
