By Bob Katzen
House 154-2, approved and sent to the Senate a $228 million fiscal 2026 supplemental budget that supporters said would address time-sensitive budget deficiencies, including winter storm recovery costs, public safety operations, substance abuse treatment services, homelessness assistance and emergency management expenses.
Snowstorm-related funding includes $159.8 million for snow and ice removal costs; $9.5 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for costs associated with snow emergency response and recovery efforts; and $1.7 million for Massachusetts National Guard expenses related to winter storm response activities.
Other provisions include $22.5 million to support the implementation of no-cost calls for prisoners; $8.1 million for homelessness programs; $14 million for the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; eliminating the $10 surcharge currently imposed on car-sharing rentals like Zipcar and Enterprise CarShare; and updating veterans’ bonus eligibility requirements by requiring a veteran to only currently be living in Massachusetts, rather than having had to live in the Bay State for at least six months before entering service, in order to qualify for certain veterans’ bonus payments.
“This legislation fulfills one of the Legislature’s most important responsibilities – ensuring that key state programs and services are adequately funded – a role that is especially critical during periods of fiscal uncertainty and increased strain on local budgets,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).
“This spending package will allow the commonwealth to settle critical deficiencies and put the difficult winter of a few months ago behind us,” said Rep. Aaron Michlewitz (D-Boston), chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means. “This legislation will also make critical reforms to how school construction grants are awarded to our cities and towns, and lead to online Lottery revenue to be directed toward early education costs.”
Neither one of the two GOP representatives who voted against the legislation responded to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them why they opposed the measure. Those two representatives are Reps. Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica).
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes