Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Here’s a brief look at some of the key state and federal issues the MMA is watching closely this season.
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Summary
Gov. Maura Healey has signed the fiscal 2027 state budget plan, which features a $40 million increase to Unrestricted General Government Aid for the year that began on July 1 and $160 per pupil for minimum new education aid.
The latest
• Gov. Healey signs FY27 state budget with $40M UGGA increase (July 9)
Resources
• Preliminary Cherry Sheets for municipalities and regional school districts (Division of Local Services)
What’s next
State leaders will regroup in the late fall to begin the process of looking at state tax collections and budget needs for fiscal 2028.
Summary
In January 2025, Gov. Maura Healey filed a multifaceted package of reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local government operations. The 50-plus provisions include the codification of a local option for remote and hybrid public meetings.
The latest
• Municipal Empowerment Act awaits action in House (May 21, 2026)
• MMA, local leaders urge legislators to support Municipal Empowerment Act (Oct. 29, 2025)
• Administration re-files Municipal Empowerment Act (Jan. 31, 2025)
Resources
• Municipal Empowerment Act information portal on mass.gov
• Municipal Empowerment Act Section-by-Section Summary
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff to discuss the importance of this bill and its benefits for your municipality.
• Use your social media, press releases and other communications to spread the word about the MEA and why it matters to your community.
• Let your state legislators and their staff know how successful remote and hybrid meetings have been in your community to increase access, engagement and transparency, while stressing the need for local flexibility.
What’s next
Many provisions of the Municipal Empowerment Act have been rolled into economic development bills now moving in the House and Senate.
Summary
The governor has signed a fiscal 2027 transportation bond bill that authorizes $300 million per year for the Chapter 90 local road and bridge maintenance program.
The latest
• Governor signs transportation bond bill with $300M for Ch. 90 (June 11)
What you can do
• Talk with your legislators about the importance of this funding to your municipality.
Resources
• MMA expresses strong support for $300M per year for Chapter 90 and multi-year authorization in testimony to Transportation Committee (March 4)
What’s next
The Legislature needs to enact a “terms bill” for the Chapter 90 program. This secondary legislation outlines the legal and financial parameters (such as terms of the municipal bonds and expenditure guidelines) necessary to actually issue the debt and disburse the funds.
Summary
Priorities in the MMA’s slate of local government bills, which were recommended by the MMA’s five policy committees for the 2025-26 session, include creation of a municipal and public safety building authority, accountability in charter school finance, sustainable water resource funds, municipal control of liquor licenses, unemployment insurance reforms, and much more.
The latest
• Board of Directors approves MMA Legislative Package for 2025-26 session (Nov. 12, 2024)
Resources
• MMA Legislative Package (PDF)
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff and ask them to support these priority bills.
What’s next
Each bill filed gets assigned to a legislative committee. In the first year of a two-year session (in this case 2025), committees typically hold hearings on proposed bills. The MMA prepares testimony on each of the bills in its package.