Press Release – For Immediate Release Senator Oliveira Secures $2 Million in FY27 Budget

BOSTON – State Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow) announced that he secured more than $2 million in funding for local communities and early childhood education priorities as part of the Massachusetts Senate’s unanimously passed $63.37 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

The investments support organizations and initiatives throughout Western Massachusetts focused on expanding educational opportunities, strengthening youth programming, supporting veterans and older adults, improving mental health care access, enhancing public safety, promoting literacy, preserving historic community spaces, advancing workforce development, supporting wildlife conservation and tourism, and increasing access to outdoor recreation and healthy aging programs.

The budget also includes major statewide investments to strengthen Massachusetts Head Start programs and expand access to early childhood education and family support services across the Commonwealth.

The Senate budget fulfills the Commonwealth’s commitment to fully implement the Student Opportunity Act through a historic $7.66 billion investment in Chapter 70 education aid, increases Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) by $53 million, and advances targeted investments to support families and communities across Massachusetts without raising taxes or fees.

For Oliveira, whose district spans communities throughout Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties, the budget represents both significant statewide investments and direct support for local organizations serving residents across the region.

“Budgets reflect priorities, and this budget demonstrates our commitment to investing in the people and communities that keep Massachusetts moving forward,” said Senator Jake Oliveira. “From strengthening our schools and supporting municipalities to investing directly in local organizations serving residents every day, these investments will help improve quality of life, expand opportunity, and ensure communities across Western Massachusetts continue receiving the support they deserve. Particularly during a time of economic uncertainty and rising costs, we must continue making investments that meet residents where they are and strengthen our communities for the future.”

In addition to supporting record investments in education and municipal aid, Oliveira secured funding for Massachusetts Head Start programs to help expand access to early childhood education and strengthen support services for children and families statewide.
“Head Start provides children and families with critical support during some of the most important years of development,” Oliveira said. “Investing in early education means investing in stronger outcomes for children, stronger support systems for families, and stronger communities.”

The budget includes local investments for organizations and initiatives across Western Massachusetts, including:

• Top Floor Learning in Palmer to expand access to affordable tutoring and adult education opportunities.
• Girls on the Run Western Massachusetts to support social-emotional learning and physical activity programming for elementary and middle school-aged girls.
• Link to Libraries to provide culturally responsive books to school libraries and help underserved students build home libraries.
• The Ludlow Department of Veterans Services to support veterans outreach, programming, and food assistance efforts.
• Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer to improve access to mental health follow-up care and walk-in services.
• The Springfield Jewish Community Center for security improvements to create safer spaces for youth and families.
• The Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center to support workforce development, tourism, economic activity, and wildlife conservation efforts.
• First Church of Christ in Longmeadow to preserve and restore a historic community asset while improving infrastructure and public access.
• Western Mass Wheelers to expand adapted outdoor biking programs serving older adults across Western Massachusetts.