Massachusetts Senate Opens $63.3 Billion FY27 Budget Debate, Sets Tuesday Vote

BOSTON — May 18, 2026 — The Massachusetts Senate opened general debate Monday on a $63.3 billion fiscal year 2027 budget that would send a record $1.376 billion in unrestricted local aid to the state's 351 cities and towns. Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael J. Rodrigues, presenting his eighth consecutive budget, said the proposal is $2 billion above FY25 spending, carries no new taxes, and does not draw on the state's $8.4 billion stabilization fund. The plan funds Chapter 70 school aid at a record $7.66 billion — a $297 million increase over FY26 — raises minimum per-pupil aid by $160, and revives the Foundation Budget Review Commission to begin reforming the K-12 funding formula. Health and human services spending totals $36.4 billion, roughly 58 percent of the overall budget, with MassHealth projected at about 2 million enrollees but rising 12 to 14 percent in per-enrollee costs. Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr pressed Rodrigues through an extended colloquy on debt service ($2.67 billion), the unfunded pension liability ($40.5 billion, with $5.1 billion appropriated toward the 2039 payoff schedule), and the absence of any tax relief. The Senate appointed conferees — Senator Cindy F. Friedman, Senator Pavel M. Payano, and Senator Ryan C. Fattman — on a Rule of Law bill before adjourning to reconvene Tuesday at 10 a.m. for formal budget floor debate on 1,158 filed amendments.