HOW I VOTED ON H.5699

SUBJECT: CLOSE OUT SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET FOR 2026

On Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – The Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a supplemental budget to close the books on Fiscal Year 2026. The bill addresses important time-sensitive deficiencies, provides support for maternal mental health services and for vital programs including MassHealth, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), and for the life sciences sector. It also includes policy sections to address emerging issues such as the use of AI in political advertising. The $2.354 billion bill includes $1.524 billion in net spending.

MY VOTE

I voted YES on H.5699, which passed the House by a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 152 Yes and 0 No. There were several amendments to H.5699. You can view how I voted on all of the amendments by clicking on the link at the end of this summary. As it relates to Amendment #160 regarding the gas tax suspension, I provide more detail below.

AMENDMENT #160 (gas tax suspension)

I voted NO on Amendment #160 which failed by a vote of 30 Yes and 122 No. As written, It would not have lowered prices as claimed, and would have set the state back by $120,000,000 in needed funding for transportation and education.  

There is no guarantee that any savings that may result from the proposed gas tax suspension, would be passed on to the consumers at the pump.  Wholesalers, and oil and gas companies would have been the only real winners if the measure had passed. I can’t support that. Also, this suspension would be “paid for” by transferring $120,000,000 from fair share revenue, which cities and towns and our state highways, public transportation system, including buses, commuter rail and our schools, all rely on.  

My constituents elected me to help solve problems, driven by the needs of the people I represent. This is amendment creates a problem, driven solely for political gain. 

We need to focus on the hard work of delivering meaningful, lasting economic relief that addresses the real costs facing families and working people across our Commonwealth. The entirety of our state government must do better, by providing short- and long-term electric and gas ratepayer relief, more affordable housing, better access to healthcare, cost savings in other insurances, better wages and more jobs.  That needs to be our focus today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.

SUMMARY

Key investments include:

• $1.8 billion gross ($1.03 billion net) for MassHealth

• $159 million for snow and ice removal costs incurred at the beginning of 2026

• $78.9 million for unemployment insurance interest repayments

• $56 million to increase nursing facility rates

• $54.5 million to support the hiring of additional DTA caseworkers

• $22.5 million for no-cost calls for the Department of Correction and county sheriffs

• $18.5 million for the Early Childcare Rate Reserve

• $13.8 million for the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) to help offset federal funding cuts

• $10 million for the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

• $5.6 million to implement cannabis legislation enacted earlier in 2026

• $4 million to support rest homes across Massachusetts

• $2.25 million for maternal health needs, including $250,000 for the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program’s MCPAP for Moms statewide initiative

In addition to key investments, the bill passed today includes several policy provisions:

Prohibits the Commonwealth’s constitutional officers from spending or authorizing the use of public funds for advertisements or promotions to build personal recognition. It preserves their ability to use public funds to inform residents about state programs, as long as those communications are not intended to establish personal recognition.

• Regulates the use of artificial intelligence in political advertisements. The bills would require the disclosure of AI use in political advertisements and would ban deceptive communications about a candidate or about the electoral process within three months of an election.

  
  

• Authorizes online lottery revenues to be distributed to the Early Education Grant Fund.

  
  

• Increases the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s grant limit from $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion and permits up to 10 percent in additional grants above that limit each fiscal year.

  
  

• Directs remaining excess capital gains tax revenue to two funds: 85 percent to the Transitional Escrow Fund, estimated at $207.7 million and 15 percent to the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund, estimated at $36.6 million.

  
  

• Eliminates the $10 surcharge imposed on car-sharing organization rentals.

• Ratifies two additional collective bargaining agreements.

• Preserves revenue generated under the federal 340B drug program for hospitals and community health centers until MassHealth secures certain federal expenditure approvals.

NEXT STEPS

The legislation passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous, bipartisan vote of 152 – 0. It now goes to the Senate for review.

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HELPFUL LINKS:

1. Bill Tracker: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5699