State budget compromise reached; focus on school system

BOSTON (WWLP) – Massachusetts lawmakers announced that they have reached a compromise on the state’s overdue $58 billion budget on Thursday night.

This year’s budget plan increases state spending to $1.97 billion, which is 3% higher than spending last fiscal year.

This year’s big-ticket items include a program that will allow every student in Massachusetts to attend community college free of charge, free regional public transportation, and the legalization of online lottery sales.

Revenue from the lottery sales is slated to be used to fund a new Early Education and Care Operational Grant Program, while other schooling-related initiatives will be funded through other means.

Lawmakers say this budget is designed to save Massachusetts citizens’ money, through several initiatives;

• Free community college
• Free regional public transportation
• Another year of free school lunches
• Permanent Commonwealth Cares for Children Grant Program

This budget also determines how the state will spend $1.3 billion in revenue from a voter-approved surtax on high earners. The two branches decided to spend 58.5% of that surtax on education initiatives, and the remaining 41.5% on transportation initiatives.

House and Senate Ways and Means chairs Representative Aaron Michlewitz and Senator Michael Rodrigues say their branches plan to approve this budget to be sent to the governor’s desk on Friday.

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Olivia Ray is a State House reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since April 2024. Follow Olivia on X @OliviaRayMedia and view her bio to see more of her work.

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