Press Room

$1.376 Billion for All 351 Cities and Towns Includes $53 Million Increase in Direct, Flexible Funding

(BOSTON—5/4/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today announced the highest local aid proposal in state history, as the Senate Committee on Ways and Means recommended a $1.376 billion investment in the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee proposal includes a $53 million increase in direct, flexible funding that local leaders can use immediately for road repairs, police and fire departments, senior centers, and other vital community needs.

The increase comes at a critical moment for municipalities across Massachusetts, which have faced years of rising costs, from health insurance and public safety to infrastructure and special education, that have outpaced the revenue tools available to local governments. The proposal will be included in the Committee’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget recommendation, which will be fully released on Tuesday.

“The strength of Massachusetts starts in our cities and towns, and this historic level of local aid reflects our commitment to communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “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. I am grateful to Chair Rodrigues and the Senate Ways and Means Committee for their leadership in delivering for Massachusetts.”

“Reflecting the priorities of the Senate membership and our support for all corners of the Commonwealth, we are placing a strong bet on every region, city and town in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means FY 2027 budget and investing $1.376 billion in Unrestricted General Government Aid, so called UGGA, boosting this vital source of local aid by $53 million over FY 2026,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “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. Thank you to the Senate President, all my Senate colleagues, and our municipal partners for their support and collaboration, especially our friends at the Mass Municipal Association, ensuring that every single municipality in Massachusetts will receive more unrestricted local aid in FY 2027.”

The funding, known as Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), is the Commonwealth’s most flexible form of municipal investment. It allows local leaders to direct resources where their communities need them most, whether that means hiring a firefighter, keeping a library open, fixing a road, or maintaining a senior center.

The Senate’s FY27 budget takes deliberate steps to distribute the additional funding more equitably among communities statewide, ensuring that cities and towns in every region of Massachusetts, including Gateway Cities, rural communities, and suburbs all receive meaningful relief.

“Our municipalities need support to manage rising costs without shifting the burden onto residents already facing a steep cost of living,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Unrestricted general government aid is a lifeline for cities and towns—and for the people who call them home. This Senate understands that one-size-fits-all budgets and policies fall short, especially for communities beyond the Route 128 corridor. I’m grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for their leadership in prioritizing this critical funding and more.”

“Local aid is what keeps our communities running, especially right now, when cities and towns are being asked to do more with less. Costs are up, healthcare costs are skyrocketing, and the pressure on our municipalities is real. Our communities need relief and they need it quickly,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Senate President Karen Spilka, Chair Michael Rodrigues, and every member of Ways and Means get that. This budget makes a historic investment in local aid because strong communities don’t happen by accident. The product is responsive because the process is inclusive. The members of the Senate have amplified the call of the cities and towns they represent throughout the drafting of this budget and that is reflected in the bill that we consider this month.”

The FY27 budget’s increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid will be felt in every corner of Massachusetts, from the smallest towns to larger cities. Individual UGGA funding levels for cities and towns will be made available when the Senate Committee on Ways and Means releases its full budget tomorrow—Tuesday, May 5.

Statements of Support

Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director and CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

“Across the Commonwealth, communities are facing a fiscal perfect storm. The Senate’s proposal responds with strategic investments, especially through discretionary funding like UGGA. It helps provide some more breathing room to local officials, and plays a role in developing balanced budgets in our communities. On behalf of our 351 cities and towns, we’re grateful to Senate President Spilka, Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Comerford, Assistant Vice Chair Feeney, and the Committee for this strong action.”

Amesbury Mayor Kassandra Gove, President, Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA)

“The needs in our communities are urgent, and these strategic investments will benefit our residents and help mitigate the fiscal pressures impacting residents while better protecting essential local services. We’re grateful to the Senate for hearing the alarm bells from municipal leaders across Massachusetts, and once again providing a strong response to support our communities.”

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