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Breaking down the state budget

Gov. Maura Healey signed the $55.98 billion state budget for the 2024 fiscal year and here’s what you need to know.

August 10, 2023 • 
Jessica Burton
The Massachusetts State. House- on a sunny day in Boston.

There’s a lot going on at the gold-domed State House.

Photo by @bimbolie

Gov. Maura Healey signed the 2024 fiscal year state budget this week. Let’s cash you up on where the $55.98 billion is going across the Bay State.

The budget may be a few days late, but it will make historic investments in schools, child care, public transit, housing, and climate resiliency to help make our state more competitive + equitable.

Here are a few budget items that stood out:

  • $224 million for K-12 education to provide free lunch for all students.
  • $229 million for free community college through the MassReconnect program.
  • $477 million for transportation will help preserve critical infrastructure, improve accessibility at MBTA stations + initiate means-tested MBTA fares.
  • $71 million for early education and care will create more childcare slots for eligible families.
  • $324 million for the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter program.
  • $8 million for targeted initiatives to  support  workforce, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and innovation economy from  the  Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.