Press Room

The Massachusetts Senate today approved a $61.4 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Over three full days of debate, the Chamber adopted 493 amendments, adding a total of $81.1 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities for communities throughout the Commonwealth to the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s originally proposed budget.

During three days of debate on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Senate added amendments that included policy to unlock housing production, lower the cost of prescription drugs, empower municipalities to control liquor licenses, and expand benefits for Gold Star spouses, among other policies.

Today the Massachusetts Senate adopted an amendment to their Fiscal Year 2026 budget that would allow cities and towns to set the number of alcohol licenses that would be available for restaurants and bars within their communities.

The Massachusetts Senate today added provisions to the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to lower prescription drug costs, expand benefits for Gold Star spouses, and increase funding for pediatric palliative care, among other amendments adopted during debate.

The Massachusetts Senate today added provisions to the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget to address the housing crisis and combat threats to reproductive and mental health care.

(BOSTON—5/15/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $240 million supplemental budget that will direct funds to the Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the health insurance agency responsible for delivering coverage to state and local government employees. The funding ensures that health care providers will continue to be paid for services rendered to employees.

The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $1.33 billion plan to invest in public education and transportation across the Commonwealth.

The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today released a $61.3 billion Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget proposal that safeguards the state’s financial health, protects the state’s most vulnerable residents, and makes investments that reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic vitality in the face of mounting federal threats.