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.
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
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
On Jan. 24, Gov. Maura Healey filed a five-year, $1.5 billion Chapter 90 bond bill that would authorize investments of $300 million per year for local road and bridge maintenance. 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
Gov. Healey files 5-year Ch. 90 bill with 50% increase (Jan. 24)
Resources
• Chapter 90 reimbursement program website on mass.gov
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.
What’s next
A legislative hearing is anticipated in the coming months.
Summary
The governor’s Municipal Empowerment Act includes a provision that would codify a pandemic-era local option for remote and hybrid public meetings. The local option has been highly successful, and extended several times, but is due to expire on March 31.
The latest
Administration re-files Municipal Empowerment Act (Jan. 31)
Resources
• MMA urges State Administration Committee to support bills to make permanent the options for remote and hybrid local meetings (July 26, 2023)
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff and discuss the success of remote and hybrid meetings in increasing access, engagement and transparency in local government, while stressing the need for local flexibility.
Summary
A series of executive actions from President Donald Trump, including a memo from the Office of Management and Budget, set off a panic about a potential widespread freeze on 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
Second judge orders halt to federal funding freeze (Feb. 3)
Resources
• 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. 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, significantly above the statutory minimum of $30.
The latest
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)
• In letter to governor, MMA outlines municipal priorities for FY26 state budget (Jan. 3)
What you can do
• Call your state legislators and their staff and urge them to support the $75 minimum aid as well as local accounts that are important for your community.
What’s next
A local aid hearing before the House and Senate Ways and Means committees is anticipated in March (details to come).
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.