Each year, the state budget gives us the opportunity to reaffirm our priorities and invest in the people and places that make Massachusetts a nationwide leader. As the Vice Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I am fortunate to be a participant througout the entire process and to be able to advocate for the residents of Cape Ann at every turn.
This year, the fiscal year 2026 state budget has been drafted and debated amid growing uncertainty at the federal level. Discussions in Washington D.C. about potential cuts to critical programs, including health care, education, and other services critical to those most in need, have created real concern about the impact on residents as well as state budgets. While we don’t yet know to what degree those decisions will affect Massachusetts directly, our focus in this budget has remained protecting and strengthening the services that our residents rely on every day.
In addition to investments into programs that affect the entire state, such as those addressing housing stability, public transportation, or early education, I am glad to have been able to secure funding for several local priorities:
- $200,000 for Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute for the development and implementation of environmental DNA research and testing
- $125,000 for the City of Gloucester for improvements to wireless public safety communications
- $100,000 for The Open Door for costs associated with participation in a fish to plate pilot program
- $60,000 for the Town of Essex for a study relative to bridges in the town
- $50,000 for Wellspring House for a study on housing for individuals in workforce training programs
- $40,000 for the Town of Rockport for a sewer pump station alarm and monitoring system
- $20,000 for the City of Gloucester for monitoring the presence of and minimizing the disturbance to coastal birds
- $10,000 for Gloucester Boxing Club
It is always my first priority to ensure that Cape Ann’s voice is heard at every moment of opportunity. As a member of the conference committee tasked to reconcile the budgets passed by the House and Senate, I am looking forward to sending a budget to Governor Healey’s desk that serves all our residents.