Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The House yesterday voted to override several of Gov. Maura Healey’s fiscal 2026 state budget vetoes, aiming to restore $70 million of the governor’s $130 million in reductions.
The House unanimously approved an override of nearly $20 million for Charter School Mitigation Payments, which would return charter school mitigation payments to the level the Legislature had proposed — $199 million — an amount expected to fully fund the state’s statutory obligation as outlined in the Student Opportunity Act.
MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine said the House vote was important to local leaders.
“The MMA deeply thanks Speaker Ron Mariano, Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and the entire House of Representatives for their strong and unwavering support for cities and towns by overriding the veto of charter school mitigation funding in the fiscal 2026 state budget,” Chapdelaine said. “This funding is essential to help municipalities manage the financial impact of charter school tuition assessments, and today’s vote protects vital education resources in communities across the Commonwealth.”
The House overrides include $1 million for regional economic development grants and $1.5 million for the Commonwealth Sewer Rate Relief Fund.
During the House session, Rep. Michlewitz said state revenues are “stable so far this fiscal year,” and that the state has “a large amount of money left on our balance sheet to anticipate future shocks to our system.”
“We believe that we can afford to override the vetoes that are before you today,” he said.
In order for the funds to be restored in the state budget, the Senate must also pass the overrides by a two thirds margin.