Massachusetts Senate Passes $2 Billion Supplemental Budget 35-4

BOSTON — April 9, 2026 — Massachusetts Senate passes roughly $2 billion FY2026 supplemental budget 35-4, rejecting GOP oversight amendments. The Senate voted Wednesday to engross House No. 5280, with four members — including Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr and Assistant Minority Leader Kelly A. Dooner — voting no. Tarr's three unsuccessful standing-vote amendments would have directed $300,000 to an Inspector General review of the Group Insurance Commission, whose emergency supplemental costs he said have totaled $540 million over two fiscal years, required 30 days advance notice before MBTA withdrawals from a new deficiency fund, and mandated a 90-day Department of Revenue warning before any federal tax code decoupling exceeding $20 million in fiscal impact; each lost five to ten or fourteen. Adopted amendments included $500,000 for the Free Period feminine hygiene nonprofit championed by Senator Patrick M. O'Connor, $1 million for METCO transportation led by Senator Jason M. Lewis, a $3.5 million transfer to the Affirming Health Care Trust Fund, $50,000 for restroom renovations at Randolph High School, and $200,000 for water filtration at Bridgewater Middle School. Senator Sal N. DiDomenico withdrew a $100 million Chapter 70 enrollment-stabilization amendment but warned gateway cities including Everett and Chelsea face 50 to 60 teacher layoffs next school year.