Gov. Healey Vows to Tackle School Funding Challenges

Tough budget decisions come as residents need help with rising costs

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has acknowledged the challenges the state faces in balancing fiscal responsibility with investments to make life more affordable for residents. As the Legislature begins to review Healey's $63.36 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, lawmakers are grappling with rising costs in areas like healthcare, housing, and education. Healey said her administration is ready to engage with legislators on rethinking the state's school funding formula, which has faced criticism for uneven distribution of resources.

Why it matters

The state's budget decisions will have a significant impact on residents struggling with high costs of living, as well as school districts that have been warning about inadequate funding. Addressing the school funding formula is a key priority, as many communities feel the current system does not equitably distribute resources.

The details

Healey's budget proposal assumes $15.829 billion in federal reimbursement revenue, a 1.4% increase over the current fiscal year. However, the administration is facing tough choices, such as proposed changes to the personal care attendant program that would save $32 million annually. Healey acknowledged that 'everything is about a balance right now' as the state grapples with the impacts of federal policy shifts and rising costs.

  • The Legislature began reviewing Healey's fiscal 2027 budget plan on February 12, 2026.
  • The Joint Ways and Means Committee will hold six additional hearings around the state in March 2026, each focused on a particular part of the budget.
  • A general public hearing is planned for late March or early April 2026.

The players

Maura Healey

The Governor of Massachusetts who proposed the $63.36 billion budget plan for fiscal year 2027.

Michael Rodrigues

The Chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, who opened the first hearing on Healey's budget proposal.

Matthew Gorzkowicz

The Administration and Finance Secretary, who discussed the administration's goals in developing the budget.

Liz Miranda

A Democratic state senator from Boston who questioned Healey about proposed changes to the personal care attendant program.

Aaron Michlewitz

The Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, who asked Healey about her thinking on the state's school funding formula.

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What they’re saying

“Post pandemic, MassHealth costs are growing faster and outpacing revenue growth, which, if left unchecked, will create a fiscal storm that could undermine our capacity to deliver services that our residents rely on.”

— Michael Rodrigues, Chair, Senate Ways and Means Committee (boston25news.com)

“Look, this summer, the president and Congress took a trillion dollars out of health care. That bleeds down and affects all of our budgets. So in this proposal ... cutting back on some of the meal time, prep time, that sort of thing, it's only because of the cuts that we're trying to manage.”

— Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts (boston25news.com)

“We've infused a lot of money for education, and it's good. But at the end of the day, when you have a lot of communities that look at the way this money is broken out, I think there is a serious divide between urban communities, Gateway Cities, and what other municipalities and school systems are getting in the commonwealth. They look at these numbers and they just don't see the equity there.”

— Todd Smola, Republican State Representative (boston25news.com)

What’s next

The Joint Ways and Means Committee will hold six additional hearings around the state in March 2026, each focused on a particular part of the budget, before a general public hearing in late March or early April 2026.

The takeaway

Governor Healey's budget proposal highlights the difficult balancing act the state faces in managing rising costs and federal policy changes while also investing in critical areas like education. The uneven distribution of school funding resources remains a key challenge that Healey has pledged to address in collaboration with the Legislature.