AFT Massachusetts on FY 27 Budget: Unprecedented Times Call for Unprecedented Action (July 1, 2026)
AFT Massachusetts President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to the conference committee budget passed by the House and Senate today for Fiscal Year 2027:
“Communities across Massachusetts are barely holding their heads above water, forced to choose which public services they can continue to fund and which residents will have to go without.
“We appreciate the numerous commitments made by the Legislature in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, including a Foundation Budget Review Commission, a significant increase in unrestricted general government aid, increasing oversight of special education transportation spending, and establishing the English for Speakers of Other Languages Reserve Fund.
“With ever-growing costs, increased needs, and funding formulas that don’t keep up with inflation, what we are expecting our school districts, libraries, and colleges to shoulder is not sustainable.
“In the fall, children will face larger classroom sizes, fewer resources and educators, and limited opportunities for services and enrichments. Residents looking to use the computers at the local library will have to work with reduced hours. Without greater support to make up for the instability and uncertainty at the federal level, higher education students will need to overcome additional barriers to get their degree.
“We understand the state is dealing with a federal Administration recklessly eliminating longstanding, critical funding communities have relied upon for decades.
“The degree to which the state invests in public education will have lasting implications on our collective future and strength as a Commonwealth. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented action.”
“In the coming weeks, we hope to have continued discussions with Legislative leaders and the Healey Administration on ways we can provide additional support to our public schools, libraries, and universities and the millions of residents they serve.”