The next stage in the fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget begins today with the release of the House Ways and Means (HWM) committee’s budget proposal. Like Governor Baker’s proposal released in January, the HWM budget makes historic investments in K-12 education, while continuing to build the Stabilization Fund to record levels. Unlike Governor Baker’s version, the HWM budget does not include tax relief proposals. HWM instead makes significant ongoing investments in areas including universal school meals, workforce supports and rate improvements for the state’s early education and care system.