Overview
- House Democrats released a $63 billion budget that boosts spending nearly 4% without raising taxes, about $33 million below Gov. Maura Healey’s plan, and now heads to floor debate later this month.
- The plan tracks Healey’s push to slow MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program, by lifting the adult dental cap to $1,750 and leaving any change to GLP-1 weight-loss drug coverage to administrative action.
- Leaders would direct 7.5% of sports-betting revenue to a new fund to attract major sports and entertainment events in Massachusetts.
- Local aid would reach nearly $10 billion, including $1.3 billion in flexible aid, though the hike for unrestricted aid is under 1% after cities and towns sought a 26% boost.
- The budget sets aside $10 million to help school districts that lost English learner enrollment after staffing for those students.