11 May, 2022
The Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Tuesday announced a $49.68 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). A fiscally responsible and forward-looking plan, the Committee’s budget seeks to ensure the long-term economic health of the Commonwealth through increased investments in areas such as education, health care and housing so that Massachusetts residents can continue to move forward together. Above all, the proposal is intentional and targeted in its approach to providing support to those who continue to face challenges brought on by the global pandemic and ongoing financial uncertainty.
“The Massachusetts State Senate has always believed in partnering with the people of the Commonwealth to move us all forward. This approach is evident in our Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which seeks to provide the support individuals, families, businesses, and communities need to navigate these uncertain times,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This budget makes meaningful investments in early education and childcare, K-12 schools, public higher education, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, housing, and individuals and families living in deep poverty. We will only succeed as a Commonwealth if we all rise together, and this budget ensures that no one gets left behind. I’d like to thank Chair Rodrigues, Vice Chair Friedman and Assistant Vice Chair Lewis, as well as their staffs, the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, all of my Senate colleagues who contributed ideas and energy as this budget came together, and every advocate and member of the public who made sure we knew what was important to them.”
“Striving to meet the everyday needs of our communities and our Commonwealth, the Senate Committee on Ways and Means Fiscal Year 2023 budget is a forward-looking blueprint that aims to support our long-term economic health and expand access to opportunities as we move forward together to build an inclusive post-pandemic future that equitably benefits all,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Focusing on shared priorities and upholding fiscal responsibility, I am very proud of the Committee’s budget and the targeted investments we are making collectively in education, local aid, health care, housing, family supports, workforce development, and much more to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economic foundation, while positioning us to respond nimbly to challenges and weather future uncertainty. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate, especially my colleagues on the Committee, whose advocacy, collaboration, and dedication helped to inform and shape this comprehensive budget plan and thank you to Senate President Spilka for her steadfast leadership as we work together to build anew and bolster our state’s long-term economic health.”
“The FY23 budget introduced today by the Senate continues our dedication to investing in the people of the Commonwealth,” said Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Extraordinary events have occurred during the past few years that have upended the lives of too many. This budget continues to prioritize essential government services and programs, including early childhood and education programming and healthcare services, as Massachusetts continues to recover from the pandemic.”
