THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 11, 2025 Page 9 Malden legislators secure historic funding in FY26 state budget Bill supported Malden programs while prioritizing statewide funding for health care, public education and public transit Special to The Advocate R ecently, the Massachusetts Legislature’s Conference Committee reported on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget (H.4240), and on June 30 it was enacted by the Senate (38-2) and House (139-6). Funded at $61.01 billion, the legislature’s FY26 budget addresses the critical needs of families and residents across the Commonwealth while dedicating funding to making our communities and Commonwealth more affordable, livable and equitable. On July 4, 2025, the budget was signed (in part) by the Governor as Chapter 9 of the Acts of 2025. Governor Maura Healey, in a July 4 letter to the legislature, explained her vetoes: “With the budget space created by my vetoes, I will be filing a supplemental budget to create a flexible reserve of $100 million so that our administration can rapidly address pressures created by time-sensitive federal actions and respond to critical unfunded spending needs for FY26.” The Malden legislators worked closely with both House and Senate leadership and Conference Committee members to ensure the budget would prioritize support and much-needed resources for the Malden community. Representatives Steve Ultrino (D-Malden), Paul Donato (D-Medford) and Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose) and Senator Jason Lewis (D-Fifth Middlesex) advocated for and secured a historic amount of funding — totaling $1,050,000 — for Malden in the legislature’s FY26 budget, which includes the following: • $300,000 for Triangle, Inc.’s School to Career Program that connects special education students with disabilities in Greater Boston to careers and their local Jason Lewis State Senator Steven Ultrino State Representative communities • $150,000 for Portal to Hope as part of their community-based domestic violence program that includes a “teens-at-risk” project • $150,000 for Housing Families Inc. to support their Youth and Families Program, and infrastructure improvements to support community-based health services • $100,000 for capital improvements to Linden Park • $100,000 for the Leadership Next Gen Fellowship Program • $75,000 for Action for Boston Community Development’s Mobile Homeless Outreach Team • $75,000 for the installation of public art and the ARTLine program in Malden • $50,000 for flood mitigation efforts at Town Line and Linden Brook in Malden • $50,000 for the Malden Police Department’s mental health emergency crisis response efforts. “Given the uncertainty and hostility from the federal executive branch, this final budget is a beacon of hope and fiscal responsibility. The bill is a testament to the Commonwealth’s dedication to providing critical services and financial support to communities across the state, despite devastating cuts on the federal level,” said Representative Ultrino. “I’m especially proud to have worked with Representatives Donato and Lipper-Garabedian as well as Senator Lewis to secure a historic amount of funding for Malden. These earmarks will support a range of important initiatives in our community and make a real difference in the lives of Malden residents. Lastly, I sincerely thank Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership throughout the budget process.” “The Malden delegation continues to deliver much needed investments in our communities. This budget, and the earmarks especially, will strengthen our community in a time of uncertainty,” said Representative Donato. “Thank you again to Speaker Mariano and Chair Michlewitz for their trust and commitment to a budget that allows for no new taxes, while supporting our most vulnerable residents. “The FY26 budget is a powerful statement of our values as a Commonwealth at a time of unparalleled and astonishing federal executive branch actions that undermine our civil rights, civil Paul Donato State Representative liberties, and safety,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “In Massachusetts, we recognize the value of supporting public education, investing in a more reliable public transportation system, protecting the right to safe health care, and aiding local non-profits that do critical work in our communities. I’m additionally glad to secure local earmarks with the Malden delegation that prioritize these values and support Malden’s residents.” “I’m proud that this budget, passed with bipartisan support, will deliver critical resources for our public schools and communities, and will make our state more affordable for working families with significant investments in childcare, housing, and healthcare,” said Senator Lewis. “I’m especially pleased that the Malden delegation and I were able to secure funding for Housing Families, local community initiatives, and other Malden priorities.” While taking into consideration the possibility of federal cutbacks, the legislature’s state budget continues to prioritize and increase funding for critical programs, such as universal school meals, Residential AssisKate Lipper-Garabedian State Representative tance for Families in Transition (RAFT), Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) and MassHealth. The legislature’s budget allows Massachusetts to maintain critical services for all residents, while not raising taxes nor utilizing any money from the Commonwealth’s reserve fund. The bill also included several key statewide funding and policy measures, including: • Elimination of broker fees: Fees will now be paid by the party that originally contracted with the broker or salesperson • Historic increase of minimum Chapter 70 aid to $150 per pupil • $200,000 for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to study the equitability of the Chapter 70 formula • $2 billion increase for MassHealth to maintain access to comprehensive health insurance coverage for over two million Massachusetts residents • $470 million in new investments to continue supporting improvements to the MBTA • $20.1 million for HIP • $5 million for an immigrant legal services program • $253.3 million for the statewide rental voucher program • $207.5 million for RAFT For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 orInfo@advocatenews.net
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