Below is a summarized version of the FY26 State Budget Town Hall, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
🗓️ FY26 State Budget Town Hall Summary
Date: June 23, 2025
Duration: ~42 minutes
Format: Virtual (YouTube Live)
Presenter: State Senator Jason Lewis
Main Topics: FY26 state budget process and highlights, Fair Share Amendment revenue, federal funding risks, education and housing investments, community media funding, environmental legislation, and public Q&A on local and state issues.
🔹Welcome and Agenda Overview
🕒 0:02–1:23
- Senator Lewis welcomed attendees and outlined the evening’s agenda.
- The session included a presentation on the state budget process, highlights from the Senate’s FY26 budget, and a Q&A session.
🔹Massachusetts State Budget Process
🕒 1:23–5:13
- The state budget must be balanced and is passed annually.
- Begins with the Governor’s proposal in January, followed by House and Senate revisions.
- A conference committee reconciles differences before the Governor signs it.
- Governor has line-item veto power.
🔹FY26 Budget Context and Highlights
🕒 5:13–13:30
- FY26 Senate budget: $61.4 billion, up from $58B in FY25.
- No new taxes or use of the stabilization fund.
- Major funding areas:
- Education: $7B for PK–12, $150 per-pupil minimum aid.
- Unrestricted municipal aid: $1.3B.
- Early education and child care: Historic investments.
- Housing: Over $1B for affordability and production.
- MassHealth: Largest budget item, 50% federally funded.
- Environment: Nearly $500M for climate and conservation.
🔹Fair Share Amendment (Millionaire’s Tax)
🕒 6:54–7:50, 29:03–33:28
- Generates 4% tax on income over $1M.
- Revenue exceeds projections.
- Funds used for:
- Universal free school meals.
- Free community college and higher ed support.
- MBTA and local infrastructure.
- Special education reimbursements.
🔹Federal Budget Concerns
🕒 7:50–9:18, 22:49–24:54
- $16B of MA budget comes from federal funds.
- Proposed federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP could severely impact MA.
- State cannot fully backfill lost federal funds.
🔹Public Comment (Non-Agenda Items)
🕒 14:18–41:21
🎥 Community Media Funding
🕒 14:18–17:46
- Concern over layoffs at Urban Media Arts (Malden).
- Senator Lewis supports legislation to fund community media via streaming service fees.
🌍 Immigration and Research Funding
🕒 17:46–20:38
- Concerns about federal immigration policies and research funding cuts.
- MA is highly dependent on immigrant labor and federal research grants.
📵 Cell Phone Use in Schools
🕒 20:38–22:42
- Education Committee reviewing bills to restrict student phone use.
- Legislation expected soon.
💡 Mass Save Program
🕒 24:54–26:55
- Governor Healey proposed reforms in a separate energy bill.
- Legislative hearings underway.
🌲 Middlesex Fells Reservation
🕒 26:55–28:57
- Legislative caucus and “Be Kind” campaign aim to improve safety and stewardship.
🥤 Plastic Waste Reduction
🕒 33:28–35:42
- Senator Lewis co-leads Zero Waste Caucus.
- Supports bills to reduce single-use plastics and update the bottle bill.
🏘️ Affordable Housing
🕒 35:42–38:19
- Homes Act and MBTA Communities Act aim to increase housing supply.
- Exploring real estate transfer fees to fund local affordable housing.
📣 Staying Informed
🕒 38:19–40:14
- Recommended resources:
- Mass Legislature website
- Senator Lewis’s newsletter
- Social media updates
🔹Closing Remarks
🕒 40:14–41:21
- Senator Lewis emphasized continued advocacy for Massachusetts values.
- Encouraged civic engagement and staying informed.
🗝️ Key Outcomes
- FY26 Senate Budget: $61.4B, balanced, no new taxes.
- Education: Historic investments in PK–12, early ed, and higher ed.
- Fair Share Revenue: Surplus used for school meals, transit, and special ed.
- Federal Cuts: Major concern; state cannot fully compensate.
- Legislation in Progress:
- Community media funding via streaming fees.
- Cell phone use restrictions in schools.
- Plastic waste reduction and bottle bill updates.
- Housing affordability measures including zoning reform and potential transfer fees.
