Mass. State House (photo: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
On June 30, the Massachusetts state legislature passed, almost unanimously, a $61 billion state budget for FY2026. This budget and the Fair Share supplemental budget together contain over $1.5 million in earmarks for Newton, sponsored by members of Newton’s state delegation.
Not since the FY2017 budget has the legislature completed the state budget before the start of the new fiscal year, on July 1. The budget has been sent to Gov. Maura Healey for her approval, veto, or partial veto within ten days.
Sen. Cynthia Creem
Sen. Cynthia Creem (D-Newton) said, “I’m proud to have helped secure funding in this year’s budget that supports Newton’s priorities — from food security and inclusive housing to student mental health and public safety. These investments reflect the values of our community and will make a real difference in the lives of residents across the city.”
Her office reports $1,025,000 in earmarks for Newton in the FY2026 budget:
- Carroll Center for the Blind: $1,100,000 by the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (not less than $500,000 of which for the Carroll Center for the Blind) to maximize the independent living skills of legally blind residents of the Commonwealth through rehabilitation programs, housing assistance services, adjustment counseling services and the provision of accessible devices, assistive software and equipment and supportive technology training provided by qualified nonprofit providers in community, residential, virtual and facility-based settings
- Security personnel for nonprofits: $200,000 for the nonprofit security personnel program, which assists nonprofits at risk of hate crimes, including religious institutions, in hiring security
- Pathway to Possible: $90,000 to Pathway to Possible, Inc. in the city of Newton to provide housing, support and advocacy for people with cognitive and developmental disabilities
- Nourishing…