Press Release: 4/3/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Files $756 Million Supplemental Budget for Fiscal Year 2025

 



Bill Closes Funding Gaps to Ensure Continuation of Critical State Programs for Emergency Services, Seniors, Veterans, Children and Families 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



4/02/2025



MEDIA CONTACT 



Karissa Hand, Press Secretary



 Phone



Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025



BOSTON — Today, Governor Maura Healey filed a supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2025(FY25) to address time-sensitive spending needs for state services such as food access, public safety, housing and child care, create opportunities for Massachusetts businesses, and boost local economies through the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. The bill allocates $756.3 million in gross spending, at a net cost to the state of $544.7 million after offsets.  



“This budget bill proposes targeted investments that improve quality of life in Massachusetts, such as ensuring access to health care, supporting families with child care costs, and making sure veterans get their benefits,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’ve also heard clearly from local officials and medical professionals across the state, especially in communities impacted by Steward Health Care’s closures, that they need more support. That’s why we’re proposing significant funding for EMS providers that have faced extraordinary costs. Our administration remains committed to maintaining a responsible state budget that tangibly benefits the people of Massachusetts.”



“This supplemental budget bill for FY25 meets pressing spending needs so that Massachusetts continues to be the best place in the country to live, work, and raise a family,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I am proud that the investments in this bill, such as a new reserve of funding for Emergency Medical Services (EMS), are responsive to the needs of our local communities.” 



Among the programs funded by this bill that support Massachusetts residents at a time of rising costs is $189.6 million for the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)’s Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA), which helps families pay for child care and out-of-school time programs. 



The administration also proposes $15.5 million, at a net cost to the state of $7.8 million after reimbursements, to help combat food benefit theft by replacing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards with more secure chip cards.   



“This bill furthers the FY25 budget strategy that our administration crafted at the start of the Fiscal Year with our Legislative partners, which carefully manages growth and controls spending while preserving vital state programs,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “I appreciate the Legislature’s consideration of this bill, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate on maintaining a responsible and balanced budget.”   



This bill also appropriates $10 million to reimburse local and regional emergency medical services (EMS) providers for recent extraordinary costs incurred to provide services.   



The largest deficiency addressed in this bill is $240 million for Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Plans and Premiums, which will address increased costs due to high utilization rates.  



An outside section in this bill will unlock new opportunities for small and diverse businesses by raising procurement thresholds under public construction laws, such as for competitive bidding processes, certain reporting and record keeping mandates, and the necessity of paying bonds for payment and performance on small projects. These threshold increases align with recommendations from the Public Construction Projects Advisory Council that Governor Healey convened in 2024 through Executive Order 630. 



Additional outside sections in this bill make technical updates to recent legislation to streamline policy implementation. The supp also includes Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) ratifications, for CBAs entered into since the last supplemental budget.  



This bill also allocates: 




  • $134.5 million for supplemental funding, at no net cost to the state, for a Medical Assistance Trust Fund Transfer 

  • $60 million, at no net cost to the state, for the Executive Office of Aging & Independence’s most vital direct care services, including home care services

  • $42.9 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)

  • $15 million for municipal and statewide tourism efforts for Massachusetts 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution

  • $5.8 million to implement the Veterans annuity payment increases passed in the HERO Act

  • $4.2 million for the State Police Crime Lab to ensure the timely review of evidence 

  • $600,000 for National Guard wildfire response costs