August 20, 2026 |Lynn's State Delegation, News, Politics, State of MA

Legislature Finalizes Fiscal Year 2027 Budget, Delivering Record Investments

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Agreement completes Student Opportunity Act commitment, expands housing production, and strengthens the MBTA

From the Office of State Senator Brendan Crighton: Last month, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted a $63.4 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2027 that drives down costs for residents, boosts the state’s economy, and adds to the state’s savings account. The budget includes $2.7 billion in Fair Share funds that will support public education and transportation as voters intended. It also adds $51 million to the state’s ‘Rainy Day’ Stabilization Fund, which is projected to reach a historic $8.2 billion balance by the end of Fiscal Year 2027.

The agreement completes the Legislature’s commitment to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act with $7.66 billion in Chapter 70 aid to public school districts, an increase of $297 million over Fiscal Year 2026 and the highest level ever, along with a record $160-per-pupil minimum in local school aid. The budget also revives the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) to examine the K-12 funding formula and assess how the state can address rising costs in special education, student transportation, personnel, and educator health care statewide.

The agreement provides $465 million in direct investment for the MBTA, which, combined with $595 million from the recent Fair Share supplemental budget, brings the total new investment in the system to over $1 billion for Fiscal Year 2027. It also includes $217 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs), including $40 million to sustain fare-free transit service statewide. The state’s fare-free Regional Transit program has resulted in ridership exceeding pre-pandemic levels. The budget also responds to a string of fatal wrong-way driving incidents on Massachusetts highways, including the tragic line-of-duty death of State Trooper Kevin Trainor, by directing MassDOT to implement new infrastructure and officer training, including directional striping, signage, lane delineators, and motorist alert systems.

In another step toward addressing the housing crisis and building homes faster statewide, the budget builds on last session’s Affordable Homes Act by streamlining local permitting, supporting development on nonconforming properties, providing reasonable timelines for projects under existing zoning, and modernizing the variance standard, all aimed at boosting housing production and driving down costs. The agreement protects access to benefits through Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC), and includes a $500 clothing allowance per child for families receiving TAFDC benefits. It also provides $56.1 million for Emergency Food Assistance, an increase of $6.1 million over Fiscal Year 2026, and $21.5 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), which supports local farmers and access to healthy food.

“We are proud to deliver a budget that provides funding for our schools and our transportation systems, invests in new programs to unlock housing production, and support the services that are important to Massachusetts residents,” said State Senator Brendan Crighton. “Partnering with my colleagues in the House, we are making investments that will positively impact our constituents and our communities.”

“I’m pleased to have been able to work with Senator Crighton to advocate for several important local funding priorities for Lynnfield in the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. “This budget delivers additional local aid to communities to help support education and preserve essential municipal services. It also sets the stage for reforming the way state funding is distributed to local school districts by reviving the Foundation Budget Review Commission to help devise a more equitable funding formula for future budget cycles.”

“This budget is a trifecta of thoughtful, responsible legislating: It meets the needs of our constituents and adds to the state’s rainy day fund — all without raising taxes,” said State Representative Jenny Armini. “Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chairman Michlewitz, and their staffs for setting up Massachusetts for success — even in these uncertain times.”

“This budget delivers meaningful investments that will benefit Lynn and communities across the Commonwealth, including stronger public schools, reliable transportation, support for our cities and towns, and protections for our most vulnerable residents, all without raising taxes,” said State Representative Dan Cahill. “By making smart investments in education, housing, and infrastructure while strengthening our fiscal reserves, we are helping families manage rising costs today and building a stronger, more resilient Massachusetts for the future. I am proud to support a budget that reflects responsible leadership and delivers real results for our community.”

“The FY27 budget reflects what can be accomplished when we come together to invest in our communities,” said State Representative Jessica Giannino. “I’m pleased to see so many important local priorities included in this year’s budget, from investments in education and transportation to public safety and community programs. These resources will have a meaningful impact on residents throughout the 16th Suffolk District. I’m sincerely grateful to House Speaker Mariano and House Chairman Michlewitz for their leadership and collaboration in crafting a fiscally responsible budget that continues to invest in a stronger future for Massachusetts.”

“I am proud of the Legislature’s investments in education, healthcare, housing, and transportation, especially during these turbulent economic and political times,” said State Representative Sean Reid. “These initiatives will continue to strengthen our communities and uphold the values of the Commonwealth.”

“This budget is a direct result of the strong collaboration and shared commitment within our legislative delegation,” said State Representative Donald Wong. “By working closely together, we successfully secured necessary funding for local schools, public safety, and essential public services. I appreciate the hard work of my colleagues in delivering these critical investments to our communities.”

In addition to this statewide funding, the state legislative delegation was able to secure earmarks for local projects and priorities including: 

• $200,000 for the Lynn Community Health Center to support enrollment and patient support services
• $50,000 for the Catholic Charities of Lynn Food Pantry
• $90,000 to Greater Lynn Senior Services for the Phoenix Food Hub
• $160,000 for the Lynn Police Department’s behavioral health unit
• $25,000 for the Lynn Veterans Council to organize the North Shore Veterans and First Responders Parade
• $50,000 for programming at the Kakrona Center in Lynn
• $50,000 to support entrepreneurial growth initiatives for minority and immigrant-owned businesses through the North Shore Latino Business Association
• $50,000 for the E-Team Machinist Program in Lynn
• $50,000 to launch a pilot-to-scale program in Lynn Public Schools with The American Exchange Project
• $50,000 for programming at Camp Fire North Shore
• $75,000 for lighting and sound repairs, replacement and upgrades in the auditorium at Lynnfield Middle School
• $50,000 for capital improvements at the Lynnfield Middle School
• $50,000 for the refurbishment of the Glover Elementary School playground in Marblehead
• $40,000 for a replacement boiler for the Marblehead Fire Department
• $25,000 for equipment upgrades for the Nahant Fire Department
• $75,000 for gear and equipment upgrades for the Saugus Fire Department
• $100,000 for equipment for the Lynn Fire Department
• $50,000 for gear and equipment purchases for the Saugus Police Department
• $25,000 for the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Swampscott
• $50,000 for playground upgrades at Newhall Park in Lynnfield
• $55,000 for the maintenance of Red Rock Park
• $40,000 for the treatment of invasive species in ponds in Lynn
• $35,000 for maintenance and repairs of deteriorating structures at the Swampscott cemetery
• $25,000 for the maintenance of Goldfish Pond in Lynn

Having been passed by the Legislature on July 1^st, the budget heads to Governor Healey’s desk for her signature.