Press Release: 3/20/2026

Haggerty secures $125K in Direct State Funding for Woburn in House Supplemental Budget

 



March 19, 2026



BOSTON – Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) secured $125,000 in direct state funding for the City of Woburn when he joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing the $1.8 billion supplemental budget. The bill invests $417 million in education-related initiatives and $885 million in transportation-related priorities while also funding several Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) deficiencies.



Haggerty filed amendments on the City’s behalf during the supplemental budget debate, with the House approving $100,000 for roadway and sidewalk improvements in the New Boston Street Bridge area, and $25,000 for updating computer lab equipment at Woburn Memorial High School.



“I am very pleased our community will directly benefit from this funding which will help improve our roadways and sidewalks in the New Boston Street Bridge area and upgrade our high school’s technology, giving our students the tools they need to succeed,” said Representative Haggerty. “I will continue to advocate moving forward to make sure this local funding is included in the final supplemental budget.”



The $1.8 billion bill is funded in part by $1.3 billion from excess Fair Share surtax funds to invest in public transportation and education.



Local impact highlights include:




  • $150 million for Early Education Childcare (EEC)

  • $150 million toward local Special Education Circuit Breaker

  • $50 million for Snow and Ice removal

  • $38.7 million for EEC income eligibility waitlist including:

  • $8 million for childcare providers

  • $7.5 million for a loan forgiveness program for providers

  • $30 million to Municipalities for Highway, Rail and Transit divisions to support capital improvements,

  • $20 million for Green School Works program to help schools with clean energy upgrades

  • $5.1 million for Tomorrow’s Teachers Loan Forgiveness program



Other key investments include:




  • $740 million towards the MBTA:

    • $525 million for the Deficiency Reserve

    • $125 million for the Workforce & Safety Reserve

    • $60 million for physical infrastructure with a focus on the core subway system

    • $20 million for low-income reduced fares

    • $10 million for water transportation infrastructure

    • $25 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) workforce development

    • $30 million to fund the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Credit

    • $30 million for MassDOT Service Investments






  • Additional educational investments:

    • $18.3 million for Financial Aid Supplements

    • $20 million endowment Match for UMass and other state colleges and universities

    • $5 million for ESOL Services Waitlist





The bill also allocates $507 million from the General Fund:




  • $300 million for the Group Insurance Commission (GIC)

  • $54.4 million for sheriffs, representing half of the deficiency

    • Requires reporting on the expenses of proposed usage of the funds



  • $41.6 million for DTA caseworkers

  • $10 million for FIFA Boston for World Cup related expenses



“This supplemental budget gives us a real opportunity to make meaningful investments in transportation and education across the Commonwealth, delivering better roads, stronger schools, and more reliable public transportation for everyone,” said Representative Haggerty. “The bill also represents exactly the kind of smart, responsible spending we must follow, especially during these challenging and uncertain economic times.”



The legislation also includes the following outside sections:




  • Food Donation Tax Credit: Establishes a food donation tax credit for farm businesses based on the amount of food donated to a nonprofit food distribution organization. The credit is capped at $5,000 annually per individual.

  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel Credit: Allows taxpayers to take a credit against the tax imposed on fuels used for aircraft propulsion and, subject to limitation, requires the amount of credit per gallon of sustainable fuel to increase by $0.015 for each additional 1 percent reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions above 50 percent. The credit is capped at $10 million total for all cumulative tax credits over a fiscal year.

  • Ratifies eight Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs)



The House’s action represents preliminary approval of the funding, as this funding must still be agreed to by the Senate and signed by Governor Maura Healey before the money can be released.