How I Voted: Closeout Supplemental Budget

Closeout Supplemental Budget and Affordability Measures

Bill: H.4761, Closeout Supplemental Budget

Date of Vote: November 19, 2025

What Problem Was This Bill Trying to Solve?

Each year, the Legislature must reconcile outstanding obligations and funding needs that arise after the annual budget is enacted. This process helps ensure that critical state programs and services remain funded and that unexpected costs are addressed in a fiscally responsible manner.

In Fiscal Year 2025, Massachusetts faced funding needs in several areas, including health care, public education, transportation, housing, public safety, and human services. At the same time, policymakers sought to address emerging challenges affecting residents, including housing affordability, access to health care, food assistance, and uncertainty surrounding certain federal policies and programs.

This supplemental budget was designed to close out Fiscal Year 2025 while providing targeted investments and policy changes to address these needs.

What Does the Bill Do?

• Provides funding to address Fiscal Year 2025 budget deficiencies and outstanding obligations.

• Appropriates funding for MassHealth and hospital payments to ensure continued access to health care services.

• Establishes a Public Higher Education Student Support Fund and provides additional funding for student financial aid.

• Provides $12 million to support the universal school meals program.

• Invests in operational and technology improvements at the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to improve access to SNAP benefits.

• Transfers $50 million to the Housing Preservation and Stabilization Trust Fund to support affordable housing initiatives.

• Creates a Sports and Entertainment Fund to support transportation, public safety, and infrastructure needs associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with state funding requiring private matching contributions.

• Directs a review of sheriff spending deficits and establishes additional oversight and reporting requirements.

• Expands access to historical records from certain former state institutions for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental health conditions.

• Criminalizes the impersonation of a federal officer and increases penalties for impersonating public officials.

• Protects unpaid federal employees from eviction or foreclosure during and immediately following a federal government shutdown.

• Removes the automatic public notice requirement for court-ordered name change petitions.

• Ratifies multiple collective bargaining agreements for public employees.

How I Voted

I voted YES.

Why I Voted This Way

Supplemental budgets are often necessary to ensure that essential government services continue operating effectively and that obligations incurred during the fiscal year are fully funded. This legislation addresses a broad range of needs affecting residents across the Commonwealth while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

The bill includes important investments in health care, public education, housing, transportation, and food assistance programs that directly affect Massachusetts families. It also provides resources to support students, strengthen public services, and prepare for major events that will bring economic activity to the Commonwealth.

In addition to its funding provisions, the legislation includes several policy changes designed to improve government accountability, protect vulnerable residents, and increase transparency in public institutions. These measures address practical concerns while helping state agencies operate more effectively.

I supported this legislation because it responsibly closes out Fiscal Year 2025, funds critical services, strengthens accountability, and makes targeted investments that benefit residents across Massachusetts.