State FY26 Budget Update and Amendment Priorities

Things are happening at a rapid pace right now on both the state and federal level. This email is dedicated to the FY26 State Budget process. Here’s an excellent State Budget 101 Primer from our friends at the Mass Budget and Policy Center that explains the state budget cycle.

MLRI’s Analysis of Selected Sections of the FY26 Senate Ways and Means Budget:

On May 6, 2025, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means released its budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 (FY 26), which is referred to as Senate 3. Here’s MLRI’s preliminary analysis of selected budget topics affecting low-income residents of the Commonwealth including DTA’s cash and food assistance programs, health care, housing/shelter items and legal services. This analysis is shared with members of the MA Legislature and our allies.

Amendments Filed to the SWM Budget - ACTION ALERT:

Senators had until 2 PM on May 9th to file amendments to the SWM Budget. Members filed 1,058 amendments, which were then organized into 10 topic categories. Senators can co-sponsor amendments this week and until the Senate formally takes up the amendment for vote or it becomes part of a “consolidated” amendment.

Here are some of the top amendments we are following. PLEASE urge your Senator to co-sponsor these key amendments this week! Additional fact sheets to follow.

We will be shipping out an update on the federal Budget Reconciliation issues soon.