Senate Passes FY27 Budget, Adopts 14 Sen. Keenan Amendments

Budget delivers municipal relief through investments in public safety and community programs. 

For Immediate Release: 5.22.26

BOSTON – On May 21, the Senate approved a $63.37 billion fiscal year 2027 budget that incorporates 14 amendments filed by Senator John F. Keenan to provide critical funding for initiatives and programs throughout the Norfolk and Plymouth District, as well as resources supporting individuals throughout the Commonwealth.  

“The financial needs of the towns and city I serve are always top of mind, as is providing programs that better the Commonwealth by supporting all residents,” said Senator Keenan. “Securing funding for crucial services is incredibly important, particularly when federal support is dwindling and Massachusetts residents face affordability challenges.” 

Many of Senator Keenan’s amendments for the Norfolk and Plymouth district support emergency services, senior residents, veterans, students, and libraries. 

The Senate approved Senator Keenan’s amendments providing funds to the City of Quincy Fire Department for upgrades and repairs to its communications infrastructure and the Town of Holbrook for upgrades to its public safety building, including HVAC improvements, waterproofing, electronic lockset replacements, and renovations to the fitness center. With the support of Senator William J. Driscoll, Senator Keenan secured critical funding for the Plymouth County Fire Chiefs Association to help more than two dozen regional communities remain safe and prepared for all emergencies.  

Senator Keenan regularly visits all six councils on aging (COAs) in his district. After speaking with staff and participants, Senator Keenan secured $179,000 to support programs at the local senior centers. 

The Town of Abington has an outstanding transportation program operated by its Office of Veterans’ Services. The Senate approved Senator Keenan’s amendment that helps provide no-cost rides to medical appointments for veterans and their spouses. 

“I am inspired by the efforts in Abington – first to recognize the need and then, through community-led fundraising, to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle,” said Senator Keenan. “I am proud to advocate for this program that gives back to those who have served our country.” 

The Senate also supported Senator Keenan’s amendment to provide funding for lighting improvements and upgrades at the Rockland Veterans Memorial. 

Senator Keenan’s amendments provide financial support to Abington Public Library for programming and services, and to Rockland Memorial Library for an engineering study of the Union Street entrance and front steps. 

The entrance to Hartsuff Park in Rockland has become a public safety concern due to excessively narrow traffic conditions during busy recreation program drop-off and pick-up times. Senator Keenan secured funding for an engineering study to evaluate widening the entrance and improving traffic flow. 

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among young people. The Senate approved another Keenan amendment that would supplement funding to Hanover Public Schools to implement a cardiac screening program aimed at preventing such deaths. The program would provide specialized electrocardiogram screenings that can detect heart conditions often missed during standard sports physicals. The funding would ensure all students have equal access to screenings and expert evaluation regardless of financial circumstances. 

Several of Senator Keenan’s amendments will help organizations combating substance use disorder. One will invest $475,000 in the RecoveryWorks Program at Mass General Hospital, which provides life-changing services to individuals living with substance use disorder through support services like mentorship, career counseling, skill-building, and family and community engagement. 

Senator Keenan’s amendment to ensure adequate funding for the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program was adopted. The amendment not only dedicates funding specifically to the program but also increases the amount. The funds will support launching and sustaining large-scale campaigns to educate young people about the hazards of vaping and nicotine, helping tobacco users quit, and providing resources to help retail establishments understand and comply with tobacco laws. 

The Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center is expanding access to mental health services in the South Shore by opening a licensed outpatient mental health clinic in Quincy. The clinic will provide culturally responsive therapy and counseling services for children, adults, and families. Senator Keenan’s amendment dedicating funds to assist the program was adopted, funds which will help address the critical shortage of licensed mental health providers who speak Mandarin, Cantonese, and other Asian languages, and to strengthen access to mental health care for underserved communities. 

The Arc of Massachusetts works to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism and their families. They achieve this through direct contact with participants and through trainings for other programs. Senator Keenan secured funds for the Arc to continue a pilot program to provide workforce training to the Department of Developmental Services and MassHealth day programs to train staff serving adults with complex behavioral needs. 

As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Election Laws, Senator Keenan pays close attention to the emerging needs going into the November election. With potential for 11 lengthy ballot questions and rising inflation, production costs have rapidly increased for the 2026 election. Two amendments filed by Senator Keenan and adopted by the Senate allow the Secretary of State to carry over unspent funds to support production of the pre-election voter information booklets – commonly known as the ‘red books’ – and offset increased vote-by-mail costs. 

Senator Keenan has long strongly advocated for increased levels of Local Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) and Chapter 70 funding in this budget. 

“I am pleased that the communities in my district – Quincy, Abington, Braintree, Hanover, Holbrook, and Rockland – will receive record amounts of local aid, over $137 million in total,” said Senator Keenan. “But I recognize the need to review and update how funds are distributed.”  

Senator Keenan supported budget provisions that require reconvening the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC) to examine the current K-12 funding formula and assess new ways to address rising costs in special education, student transportation, personnel, and educator health care, and supported the creation of a commission to study the distribution of UGGA to cities and towns. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, local aid appropriations are as follows:   

Abington 

UGGA: $2,583,414

Chap. 70: $15,164,118 

Braintree

UGGA: $7,431,595

Chap. 70: $22,754,750 

Hanover

UGGA: $2,754,277

Chap. 70: $8,471,971 

Holbrook 

UGGA: $1,927,148

Chap. 70: $13,156,698 

Quincy 

UGGA: $24,584,891

Chap. 70: $49,152,393 

Rockland 

UGGA: $3,430,348

Chap. 70: $20,241,858 

Now that the Senate and House of Representatives have passed their respective budgets, both branches will appoint a conference committee to reconcile the differences, which will then go back to each chamber for final approval so a consensus budget can go to the Governor for her approval.