Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
Here’s a brief look at some of the key state and federal issues the MMA is watching closely this season.
Last updated: April 22
Summary
A five-year, $1.5 billion Chapter 90 plan — authorizing investments of $300 million per year for local road and bridge maintenance — is the central feature of a transportation bond bill filed in January by Gov. Maura Healey. The funding level would be a 50% increase for Chapter 90, which has been generally level-funded at $200 million for the past dozen years.
The latest
• MMA testifies in strong support of transportation bond bill with 50% increase for Ch. 90 and $200M to support a culvert and small bridge program (April 10)
• Transportation Committee to hold Chapter 90 hearing April 10 (April 7)
• Gov. Healey files 5-year Ch. 90 bill with 50% increase (Jan. 24)
Resources
• Healey-Driscoll administration’s Chapter 90 Funding and Reform memo, including proposed apportionments through her transportation bond bill (January 2025)
• Chapter 90 Program Advisory Group recommendations (January 2025)
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff to urge quick passage of this important infrastructure bill, in time for the spring construction season.
• Remind legislators that a multiyear commitment would help you plan ahead and make the best use of this funding.
• Tell legislators how transportation funding would benefit your community
• Encourage legislators to support the governor’s proposal and to aks their colleagues to do the same.
What’s next
Awaiting legislative activity this spring
Summary
On Jan. 22, Gov. Maura Healey filed her $61.5 billion state budget plan for fiscal 2026, which would increase the main discretionary local aid account by 2.2% and Chapter 70 school aid by $420 million. Healey proposes increasing minimum new education aid to $75 per student.
The latest
• House budget committee releases FY26 state budget proposal (April 16)
• MMA outlines budget pressures at local aid hearing (March 31)
• It’s budget time on Beacon Hill, and the MMA is working for you (MMA Director’s Report, April 1)
• Gov. Healey files FY26 state budget proposal (Jan. 22)
Resources
• Preliminary Cherry Sheets for municipalities and regional school districts based on the governor’s House 1 proposal (Division of Local Services)
• Fiscal 2026 Chapter 70 aid and net school spending requirements for individual cities, towns and regional school districts based on House 1, including preliminary fiscal 2026 charter school assessments and reimbursements (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
• MMA asks House members to support and build on investments in FY26 state budget bill (April 22)
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff and urge them to support at least a 3% increase in Unrestricted General Government Aid and $150 in Chapter 70 minimum aid, as well as local accounts that are important for your community.
What’s next
The House budget debate is set to begin on April 28.
Summary
A series of executive actions from President Donald Trump have caused serious concerns about the reliability of promised federal funds. Federal judges have taken action to at least temporarily halt the freeze, but there remains a lack of clarity about what funding streams still might be affected.
The latest
• Trump administration targets $106M in K-12 grant funding for Mass. (April 1)
• Trump administration delays lead pipe replacement funds (April 1)
• President signs order calling for dismantling of Education Department (March 21)
• Second judge orders halt to federal funding freeze (Feb. 3)
Resources
• NLC covers federal issues during partnership meeting (April 3)
• Presidential Actions Summary: Impact to Local Governments – from National League of Cities (NLC nonmembers will need to provide contact information to view resource)
What you can do
• Call your congressperson and/or U.S. senators to express your concerns about the potential loss of federal grants and commitments, and the impacts that would be felt in your community.
What’s next
Further federal court decisions on a number of legal challenges, and further executive actions to prevent funding for initiatives that conflict with Executive Orders.
Summary
On Jan. 31, Gov. Maura Healey filed a multifaceted package of reforms and local options aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of local government operations. The 30-plus provisions include the codification of a local option for remote and hybrid meetings.
The latest
• MMA continues push on Municipal Empowerment Act (Feb. 28)
• Administration re-files Municipal Empowerment Act (Jan. 31)
Resources
• Municipal Empowerment Act information portal on mass.gov
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff to discuss the importance of this bill and its benefits for your municipality.
• Use your social media, press releases and other communications to spread the word about the MEA and why it matters to your community.
What’s next
A legislative hearing (or two) is anticipated in the coming months. The remote and hybrid meeting local option will expire on March 31, giving some urgency to the bill.
Summary
Pandemic-era local options for remote and hybrid public meetings have been highly successful, but have not been made permanent in state law, which has been a priority for the MMA.
The latest
• Gov. signs extension of remote and hybrid meeting allowances (March 28)
Resources
• MMA, MAPC, MARPA, MASC and MACC Issue Joint Statement in Support of Preserving Remote and Hybrid Meeting Options (Feb. 19, 2025)
What you can do
• Let your state legislators and their staff know how successful remote and hybrid meetings have been in your community to increase access, engagement and transparency, while stressing the need for local flexibility.
What’s next
The meeting options were extended through June 2027 by legislation signed on March 28, 2025, but the MMA will continue to work to make the local options permanent in state law.
Summary
The MMA is lining up legislative sponsors to file a slate of local government bills that were recommended by the MMA’s five policy committees for the 2025-26 session. These MMA priorities include creation of a municipal and public safety building authority, accountability in charter school finance, sustainable water resource funds, municipal control of liquor licenses, unemployment insurance reforms, and much more.
The latest
• Board of Directors approves MMA Legislative Package for 2025-26 session (Nov. 12, 2024)
Resources
• MMA Legislative Package (PDF)
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff and ask them to support these priority bills.
What’s next
Each bill filed for the new session will be assigned to a legislative committee. In the first year of a two-year session (in this case 2025), committees typically hold hearings on proposed bills. The MMA will be preparing testimony on each of the bills in its package.