By Bob Katzen

House 154-3, approved a consolidated amendment adding $5.8 million in funding to Energy, Environmental and Food Assistance programs in the $61.47 billion fiscal year 2026 state budget. Much of the funding was for projects and programs proposed by individual representatives for their local districts.

“[The amendment] makes important investments in the environment, including over $85 million for the Department of Environment Protection and over $160 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation to support clean water and our parks and natural resources,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Christine Barber (D-Somerville), House chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. “Funding for the Department of Energy Resources builds in a new line item to directly support the objectives of the Climate Bill without adding to assessments that are passed on to the residents of the commonwealth.”

Barber continued, “There are also significant investments in addressing food insecurity in the commonwealth – funding for Emergency Food Assistance is increased by $13 million to bring this line item to $55 million. In a time when the federal government is actively rolling back protections and damaging the environment, these financial investments continue to protect the commonwealth’s invaluable natural resources, coastlines and waterways, open spaces, wildlife and recreation areas and extend our imperative to address the urgency of climate change.”

Reps. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica), Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and John Gaskey (R-Carver), the only three members to vote against the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the amendment.

(A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes