Earlier today (Wednesday, January 22, 2025), Governor Maura Healey released her budget recommendation for fiscal year 2026 (FY26). The state budget is a multibillion-dollar spending plan that allocates funding for critical services and programs across the Commonwealth. Today’s release marks the first step in a months long debate, as the budget moves through the legislative process.
The Arc of Massachusetts, along with your advocacy directed to the Governor and the administration, made a difference in several key line items. Over the next few days, we will be reviewing the details of the budget and will share more information.
Our initial review shows some key investments, and other areas where advocacy will be needed moving forward.
Here are some key highlights:
- The budget is a $62 billion proposal, representing a 7.4% increase from last year’s FY25 budget.
- The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) budget represents 4.6% of the total state budget; the prior year was 4.7%.
- Within the DDS budget, there were several important investments including a19% increase in community residential services, an 18% increase in transportation funding, a 62% increase in funding for technology for individuals, and a 26% increase in funding to implement the Autism Omnibus law.
- The MassHealth PCA program is fully funded for FY26.
- There are, however, areas that will need our further analysis and collective advocacy, including continued need for increases in funding for the human service workforce and Turning 22 programs and services.
- The Arc will meet with our advocacy partners in the coming days to strategize and align our priorities.
We will share a more detailed analysis and next steps with in the coming days, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, you can sign up for our advocacy newsletter and action alerts at thearcofmass.org/action
