The House Ways and Means (HWM) committee released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget proposal earlier today; a spending plan that totals $61.5 billion, $3.7 billion (6.4 percent) more than the FY 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) and $580 million (0.9 percent) less than Governor’s Healey’s budget. 

Compared to the administration’s budget recommendation, notable spending increases in the HWM proposal are included for K-12 education, emergency food assistance, and supplemental rate increases for nursing homes. These increases are offset by lower spending levels for a variety of programs, including the Emergency Assistance shelter system and local aid for cities and towns. The HWM proposal does not rely on any tax policy changes to generate revenue or support spending.