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.