FY 2027 Budget House Ways & Means Budget

Fair Share Amendment

The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027 is the fourth year that revenue will be allocated from the Fair Share amendment, which continues to provide a dedicated revenue stream for investments in education and transportation. The fair share revenue is expected to generate $2.7B in Fiscal Year 2027.

• Provides $1.725B for Education
  • Provides $365M for C3 Operational Grants
  • Provides $198M for universal school meals
  • Provides $127M for Free Community College
  • Provides $85M for MassGrant+ financial aid expansions
  • Provides $52.2M for a Chapter 70 Minimum Supplement
  • Provides $18M to the SUCCESS program at State Universities
  • Provides $18M to the SUCCESS program at Community Colleges
  • Provides $5M to continue the Green SchoolWorks program
• Provides $975M to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund

Local Aid

The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027 maintains significant aid to cities and towns across the Commonwealth. The Committee’s proposal strengthens investments in local education support, funding Chapter 70 aid to school districts at $7.658B, a $296.5M increase over the FY26 GAA. The Committee also invests an additional $52.2M in supplemental funding to bring Chapter 70 per pupil minimum aid from $75 to $160. This investment fully funds the sixth, and final, year of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) goal rates. Acknowledging the significant costs that districts face, the Committee invests $119.1M for regional school transportation, $653.4M for Special Education Circuit Breaker reimbursements, and $200.4M for Charter School aid.

• Provides $7.658B for Chapter 70 aid
  • Including $52.2M to further increase per pupil minimum aid to $160
• Provides $653.4M for Circuit Breaker Special Education reimbursement
• Provides $200.4M for Charter School reimbursement
• Provides $119.1M for Regional School Transportation reimbursement
• Provides $55.4M for PILOT Payments
• Provides $27.3M for the MA Cultural Council
• Provides $35.2M for homeless student transportation
• Provides $19.4M for regional public library systems
• Provides $20.4M for state aid to public libraries
• Provides $1.5M for the Sewer Rate Relief Fund

Early Education and Care

The Department of Early Education and Care provides services for the youngest members of our Commonwealth. The Department also provides subsidized childcare for some of the most vulnerable children served by the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Transitional Assistance, as well as low-income families. The Committee is proud to strengthen our commitment to the childcare provider workforce with significant investments in the childcare accounts.

• Provides $598.6M to fund childcare for children served by the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Transitional Assistance
• Provides $623.6M for childcare for children from income–eligible families in the Commonwealth
• Provides $475M for Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) Grants
• Provides $20M for Head Start
• Provides $20M for childcare resource and referral agencies
• Provides $7.5M for the Early Educators Scholarship Program

Elementary and Secondary Education

The Commonwealth continues to lead the nation in educational achievement, due in no small part to the work done by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal continues funding for key grant programs within the Department, while also investing in programs that work to close achievement gaps and provide key services for students statewide, such as mentoring grants, after-school programming, and literacy programming.

• Provides $58.4M for adult basic education services
• Provides $35M for METCO programs
• Provides $7.24M for after–school and out–of–school grants
• Provides $6.5M for school–to–career connecting grants
• Provides $3.7M for English Language Acquisition programs
• Provides $1M for the 21st Century Education Trust Fund
• Provides $5.7M for literacy and early literacy grants
• Provides $1.75M for YouthBuild
• Provides $2.8M for Recovery High Schools
• Provides $3.1M for expansion of career and technical assistance to address waitlists at vocational–technical high schools
• Provides $2.5M for the Civics Project Trust Fund
• Provides $1.5M for Mentoring Grants

Higher Education

The Committee recognizes the importance of a high–quality and financially attainable degree for Massachusetts students and is proud to continue investing in the state’s public higher education campuses, as well as funding the state scholarship programs at $176.7M. The Committee also provides $18M each for the state university and community college SUCCESS funds to provide wraparound support for students from vulnerable populations.

• Provides $866.5M for the University of Massachusetts system
• Provides $419.8M for community colleges
• Provides $405.9M for state universities
• Provides $176.7M for the State Scholarship program
• Provides $18M for the Community College SUCCESS program
• Provides $18M to expand the SUCCESS program to State Universities
• Provides $12.9M for the dual enrollment program
• Provides $15M for Early College program
• Provides $4M for Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment at higher education institutions

Health and Human Services

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services plays a crucial role in building a healthy and resilient Commonwealth through services that increase access to healthcare, food, and temporary assistance. These are vital sources of relief for Massachusetts children, families, veterans, seniors, and those with disabilities, as recent federal policy changes have only highlighted the essential role that the state plays in protecting our most vulnerable populations. The House Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal affirms the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting its residents through value-driven and forward–looking investments.

MassHealth

MassHealth is one of the Commonwealth’s most important safety net programs. Serving roughly 2M members (more than one in four Massachusetts residents), it provides access to high–quality and affordable healthcare to those most in need. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal funds MassHealth at $22.41B to fully support the provision of vital health care services while promoting sustainable cost growth.

• Provides $30M to increase nursing facility rates and support the caregiving workforce
• Maintains previous investments in primary care rates and behavioral health
• Bolsters IT and administrative capacity to respond to federally imposed cuts and restrictions

Department of Developmental Services

The Department of Developmental Services empowers children and adults with developmental disabilities to become fully engaged members of their communities. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal reflects the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting both individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to become active members in their communities through day and employment programs, as well as residential and respite services. The Committee’s proposal fully funds the Turning 22 class, annualizes the costs of the Turning 22 population, and invests in programs to support consumers and their families.

• Provides $2.07B for Community Residential Services, a $48.5M increase over Fiscal Year 2026
• Provides $313.5M for Community Day and Work Programs
• Provides $131.4M for Respite Family Supports
• Provides $107.5M for the Department of Developmental Services Administration and Operations
• Provides $102.5M for Autism Omnibus
• Provides $7.9M for Autism Division
• Provides $5.2M for Supportive Technology for Individuals

Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families strives to protect the children of the Commonwealth from abuse and neglect by providing family support and stabilization services, as well as foster care and adoptive services. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027 continues support for this critical mission.

• Provides $320.9M for Social Workers for Case Management
• Provides $343.2M for Services for Children and Families
• Provides $450.7M for Congregate Care Services
• Provides $129.6M for Family Support and Stabilization
• Provides $25.7M for Family Resource Centers
• Provides $19.2M for Lead Agency Coordination of Services

Department of Youth Services

The Department of Youth Services is charged with rehabilitating youthful offenders through a continuum model of services and supervision. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal highlights the importance of instilling positive change through education and skill development for those under the Department’s care. The Department, through the Committee’s proposal, will continue to be able to operate effective programs by partnering with organizations to reduce recidivism, promote positive change, and protect the public.

• Provides $117.8M for Residential Services for Committed Population
• Provides $26.5M for Residential Services for Detained Population
• Provides $23.4M for the Non–Residential Services for Committed Population
• Provides $1.6M for the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program

Department of Transitional Assistance

The Department of Transitional Assistance works to ease the burdens on the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable population; ensuring that children, the elderly, the disabled, the unemployed and the underemployed have access to the services and benefits they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency and a better quality of life. The Department reaches one in eight Massachusetts residents through its economic assistance, food assistance, and workforce training programs, and the House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal protects and preserves these standards of support and helps guarantee opportunity for every resident of the Commonwealth.

• Provides $437.3M for Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children
• Provides $204M for Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children
• Provides $20M for Healthy Incentives Program
• Provides $122M for DTA Caseworkers

Department of Public Health

The Department of Public Health aims to ensure that all people in the Commonwealth remain healthy by promoting wellness and establishing health and safety regulations to prevent injury, illness, and premature death. The Department of Public Health also strives to eliminate health disparities within the Commonwealth by acknowledging and addressing social determinants of health. The House Committee on Ways and Means proposal supports these priorities and increases funding for municipal grants and workforce development initiatives.

• Provides $184.1M for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services
• Provides $83.9M for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services
• Provides $38.3M for Early Intervention Services
• Provides $28.9M for the Bureau of Infectious Diseases and Laboratory Sciences
• Provides $18M for the Division of Health Care Quality
• Provides $12M for Grants to Local and Regional Boards of Health

Department of Mental Health

As the Commonwealth’s mental health authority, the Department of Mental Health provides community–based and continuing care inpatient services for over 20,000 individuals. The Department serves those with severe and persistent mental health conditions with the goal of enabling as many individuals as possible to live, work, and participate in their communities. The House Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal continues this effort by supporting emergency department diversion boarding efforts, investing in the hospital and community based mental health workforce, and continuing the Loan Forgiveness Program to address workforce retention and development issues within clinical behavioral health.

• Provides $679.7M for Adult Support Services
• Provides $395.2M for Hospital Facilities and Community–based Mental Health
• Provides $136.7M for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
• Provides $3M for DMH Loan Forgiveness Program

Executive Office of Aging and Independence

The Executive Office of Aging and Independence provides services to older adults that promote independence and sustain a high quality of life, including supports for their families and caregivers. These range from community–based services to nutrition programs, protective services, and housing, which are provided through a statewide network of Aging Service Access Points and Councils on Aging. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposes a funding level of $1.06B to maintain these important services while recognizing the dramatic growth in the senior population and continued desire to age in the community.

• Provides $505.4M for the Community Choices Program, which provides MassHealth eligible seniors who require care in a facility with home’based care
• Provides $412.3M to the Elder Home Care Program across its two programmatic and administrative line items
  • $299M for care delivery
  • $113.3M for case management
• Provides $29.5M for Grants to Councils on Aging
  • Maintains $16 per elder formula grant
  • Maintains $2.2M for Service Incentive Grants

Veterans’ Services

The Executive Office of Veterans’ Services provides veterans with access to programs and services throughout the Commonwealth. The Executive Office provides educational opportunities, outreach centers and service benefits, as well as personal care services through the Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke.

• Provides $85M for Veterans’ Benefit Payments
• Provides $45.5M to the Veterans Home at Chelsea
• Provides $39.8M to the Veterans Home at Holyoke
• Provides $9.3M for Veterans’ Outreach Centers
• Provides $3.9M for Veterans’ Homelessness Services
• Provides $1.7M for Veteran Education, Employment, and Training

Economic Development

The Executive Office of Economic Development promotes economic opportunities for residents of the Commonwealth and fosters job creation and business growth. The House Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal prioritizes funding crucial support programs to advance the Commonwealth’s economic viability. This budget invests in business development and grant opportunities as well as tourism support and job training programs to help foster economic activity across the Commonwealth.

• Provides $5M for support grants for anti–poverty efforts at Community Action Agencies
• Provides $5M for Small Business Technical Assistance Grants
• Provides $3M for First–Time Homeowner Counseling, and Foreclosure Education Centerss
• Provides $1M for Regional Economic Development Organization Grants
• Provides $1M for a new initiative for Social Enterprise Grants

Housing and Livable Communities

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities provides affordable housing options and essential financial support to vulnerable families and communities in the Commonwealth. A safe housing environment provides a solid foundation from which families and individuals can lead stable and successful lives. As such, the House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal preserves or expands funding for all emergency homeless assistance programs, as well as homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing for both families and individuals. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes $1.14B to ensure that these important programs continue to support and provide safe housing for thousands of individuals and families across the Commonwealth.

• Provides $258.6M for the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program
• Provides $281.3M for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
• Provides $117.8M for Public Housing Authorities
• Provides $115M for Homeless Individuals Assistance
• Provides $82.3M for the HomeBASE Program
• Provides $210M for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
• Provides $20M for Rental Subsidies to Eligible Department of Mental Health Clients
• Provides $19.3M for the Alternative Voucher Housing Program (AVHP)
• Provides $5M for Rapid Re–Housing Programs for Homeless Individuals
• Provides $8.9M for the Home and Healthy for Good Program
• Provides $6.5M for the Service Coordinators Program
• Provides $10M for Shelter Workforce Assistance
• Provides $10.1M for Sponsor–Based Permanent Supportive Housing
• Provides $8M for the new line item, Winter Beds

Labor and Workforce Development

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s mission is to help the residents of the Commonwealth enter and adapt to the labor market by offering workforce training, education, and unemployment benefits. The House Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2027 budget continues to support the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s work in assisting individuals with their job search and ensuring all Commonwealth residents are provided with a safe, healthy, and fair working environment.

• Provides $17.4M for Summer Jobs for At–Risk–Youth
• Funds a $10M transfer to the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund
• Provides $8.9M for Career Technical Institutes
• Provides $2.5M for a prisoner re–entry workforce development program
• Provides $2M for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership
• Provides $3.3M for the Registered Apprenticeship Program
• Provides $1M for SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund
• Provides $150K for AFL–CIO Workforce Development Programs
• Provides $7.9M for One Stop Career Centers

Transportation

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) works to provide the Commonwealth with a safe and reliable transportation system that facilitates economic growth and improves residents’ quality of life. Maintaining infrastructure from roads to rails, MassDOT develops innovative solutions to respond to present–day needs while investing in forward–looking initiatives to tackle future challenges. The House Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal enables MassDOT, along with the MBTA and the state’s Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), to meet the increasing demand for public transit while strengthening the Commonwealth’s infrastructure. The Committee’s recommendation transfers $875M in Fair Share revenue into the Commonwealth Transportation Fund to be dispersed among MassDOT, the MBTA, and RTAs.

• Provides $605M for MassDOT’s operating budget (including $220.2M in surtax dollars)
  • Investments to strengthen their workforce pipeline and project delivery capacity
  • These work in conjunction with the $30M included in the House’s Fair Share Supplemental Budget to bolster their civil engineering workforce pipeline

• Provides $470M for the MBTA (all of which are Fair Share funds)
  • Provides $40M for the MBTA Academy to continue to build a skilled workforce pipeline
  • Supports water transportation and income–eligible reduced fares

• Provides $217.5M for Regional Transit Authorities (including $184.8M in surtax revenue)
  • $94M for state contract assistance
  • $66M for additional state contract assistance to support expanded service hours, weekend services, and route expansions
  • $35M to continue fare–free fixed routes and ADA compliant service across all 15 RTAs
  • $10M for connectivity projects that link different RTAs with each other as well as the MBTA
  • $8.5M for workforce initiatives to enhance service delivery
  • $4M for the Community Transit Grant Program, which expands mobility options for older adults, people with disabilities and low–income residents

Energy and Environmental Affairs

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is the steward of the Commonwealth’s rich ecosystems and habitats, from the Atlantic to the Appalachian Trail, and protector of those environments on behalf of all the animals – and people – that live in them. Through a focus on environmental justice, climate change mitigation, natural resources, and sustainable development, the Executive Office seeks to ensure that Massachusetts’ communities, both urban and rural, live up to our long legacy of conservation so future generations can experience the state’s natural beauty. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget supports this ecological commitment while defending clean energy jobs and food systems across the Commonwealth.

• Provides $104.4M for DCR State Parks and Recreation
• Provides $81.1M for the Department of Environment Protection
• Provides $63.4M for the Clean Water Trust Contract Assistance
• Provides $60M for Emergency Food Assistance
• Provides $44.8M for the Department of Fish and Game

Public Safety and Security

The House Committee on Ways and Means budget proposal provides funding for the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the fourteen sheriff’s departments, allowing the Commonwealth to continue to develop and implement programming that ensures the safety and security of residents. The Fiscal Year 2027 proposal provides targeted increases to carry on with this important endeavor. Moreover, this budget proposal incorporates investments related to criminal justice and police reform that impact an array of state functions, from the development of core infrastructure and technology to the provision of vital clinical care and re–entry services. Services provided by the public safety agencies include, but are not limited to, enforcing statewide laws, protecting the state against fire and other emergency situations, and all other correctional related programs.

• Provides $925.5M for the Department of Correction
• Provides $812.1M for the Commonwealth’s 14 sheriffs’ offices
• Provides $603.9M for the Department of State Police
• Provides $61.6M for the Executive Office of Public Safety
• Provides $44.6M for the Department of Fire Services
• Provides $10M in the Communications Access Trust Fund for no–cost calls in prisons and jails
• Provides $10.1M for the Senator Charles E. Shannon Anti–Gang Grant Program for community–based violence prevention programming
• Provides $6.9M for the Emerging Adults Pre– and Post’Reentry Program to help reduce recidivism among adults 18–25 years old
• Provides $4M for the Non–Profit Security Grant Program
• Provides $8.8M for the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission
• Provides $8M to reimburse tuition and fees for National Guard members at public higher education institutions

Judiciary

The Judiciary is responsible for upholding the Massachusetts General Laws as well as the Constitution of the United States. The House Committee on Ways and Means budget aims to ensure that every resident has equal access to justice through the court system. The Committee’s proposal furthers this mission by sustaining funding for civil legal aid programs that provide vital support in areas such as housing and employment for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable individuals and their families.

• Provides $1.01B for the Department of the Trial Court
• Provides $380M for the Committee for Public Counsel Services
• Provides $191.4M for the District Attorneys’ Offices of the Commonwealth
• Provides $52M for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
• Provides $16.1M for Community Based Re–entry Programs
• Provides $3M for the Access to Counsel Program for low–income individuals facing eviction proceedings