MMA asks House members to support and build on investments in FY27 state budget bill

Dear Representative,

I write today on behalf of all 351 cities and towns to express our deep appreciation for the many provisions in the House Ways and Means Committee budget proposal (H. 5500) that support municipalities. We appreciate the opportunity to provide input on the proposed amendments to your FY27 investment plan and offer our partnership as you consider proposals during your upcoming deliberations.

We are very thankful to Speaker Ronald Mariano, Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and the members of the House Ways and Means Committee for their commitment to support the wellbeing of cities and towns by increasing investment in education aid through the Student Opportunity Act while increasing Chapter 70 minimum aid to $160 per pupil. These investments will make a difference in municipal budgets in communities across the Commonwealth.

We further appreciate the funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker program, which is intended to meet the state’s obligation for this important account. Additionally, the proposal includes important investments for Regional School Transportation and continued support for universal school meals, which has improved student nutrition and success across the Commonwealth.

We are also incredibly grateful that H. 5500 did not include concerning changes to collection practices for municipal revenue, as initially proposed in House 2. Thank you for hearing the concerns of cities and towns across the Commonwealth and protecting critical local revenues through this action.

The House Ways and Means Committee budget proposal offers desperately needed assistance to cities, towns, and districts in all regions of the Commonwealth. Thank you for the important initiatives included in H. 5500, especially as we all navigate a climate of economic uncertainty.

Please Support the Following Key Municipal and Education Amendments

We respectfully ask you to support the following amendments to build on the House Ways and Means investment plan:

Strengthening Local Aid (Amendments #1171 and 1308) – The HWM proposal increases UGGA by $10 million over fiscal 2026 (1233-2350). We respectfully ask that you increase this investment by supporting Amendment 1171. This amendment, proposed by Rep. Kristin Kassner, would increase the investment in UGGA by 2.5% or $33 million. Combined with the proposed education account investments included in the HWM proposal, this increase to UGGA would make a meaningful difference for communities across the Commonwealth, strengthening the partnership between local and state governments. We also support similar proposals that would provide a substantive increase to UGGA, including Amendment 1308 filed by Representative Alyson Sullivan-Almeida, which would increase UGGA by $133 million.

Rural School Aid (Amendments #416 and 459) – We respectfully urge you to increase aid to rural school districts through your support for Amendments 416 and 459, which would target funding for the Rural School Aid program that offers critical support to rural school districts (7061-9813). Amendment 416, filed by Chair John Barrett, would increase rural school aid by $4 million for fiscal 2027, while Amendment 459, filed by Rep. Leigh Davis, would increase this important account by $50 million to reach the level of funding recommended by the Special Commission on Rural School Districts.

Regional School Transportation (Amendments #46 and 1273) – Please support additional funding for Regional School Transportation (7035-0006). This account is critical to rural and smaller communities. Amendment 46, filed by Rep. Margaret Scarsdale, would increase investment in regional school transportation by approximately $17.8 million. We also support Amendment 1273, filed by Rep. Kimberly Ferguson, which would provide an additional $3.8 million.

Summary
We deeply appreciate Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, and the members of the House Ways and Means Committee for drafting a fiscal 2027 spending plan that prioritizes investments in education, providing relief to many cities and towns through a strategic boost to key education accounts. Such support helps communities across the Commonwealth to provide the everyday essential services residents need.

Heading into fiscal 2027, cities and towns across the Commonwealth are confronting numerous fiscal pressures, forecasting reduced services and staff. The proposed investments included in H. 5500, alongside the above amendments will help to ensure cities and towns are able to navigate these fiscal pressures while continuing to deliver the essential services our residents depend on.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to have your office contact me or MMA Senior Legislative Analyst Adrienne Núñez at [email protected].

Thank you very much for your partnership with cities and towns of Massachusetts.

Sincerely,

Adam Chapdelaine
Executive Director & CEO