Press Release: 10/23/2025

Senate joins House in overriding budget vetoes, restoring charter school payments

 

The Senate today joined the House in overriding $70 million of Gov. Maura Healey’s fiscal 2026 state budget vetoes, including nearly $20 million for charter school mitigation payments.

The overrides return charter school mitigation payments to $199 million in fiscal 2026.

On behalf of cities, towns and school districts across the state, MMA Executive Director Adam Chapdelaine applauded both the House and the Senate’s action, noting “their strong and unwavering support for cities and towns.”

“These critical resources help municipalities and school districts manage the financial impact of charter school tuition assessments,” he said.

Referencing the Senate’s vote on Thursday, he thanked Senate President Karen Spilka, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and the entire body for protecting “vital education resources in communities all across the Commonwealth.”

During the Senate session, Sen. Jo Comerford said that without the veto overrides, charter school reimbursements would have fallen below 100%, based on most recent enrollment projections, “leaving districts to cover the remaining costs in an already strained fiscal environment.”

She said it’s “critical … that this funding be available to districts to ensure students receive the education their families deem is best for them.”

The House voted to override the budget vetoes on Oct. 8.

Written by John Ouellette, Senior Executive and Director of Communications