LOWELL – The Massachusetts House of Representatives version of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, passed on April 29th and funded at $63.41 billioni, included $75,000 in local earmarks filed by 18th Middlesex District State Representative Tara T. Hong.
Merrimack Valley Food Bank received $25,000 to help fund their Operation Nourish Program; Coalition for a Better Acre received $25,000 for a teen podcast and media training program; and Bailey Elementary School received $25,000 toward improvements of the playground.
“I am also proud to have co-filed an amendment with Representatives Consalvo and Ashe to include $350,000 for Catie’s Closet in the House FY 27 Budget,” said Rep. Hong. “This funding will help Catie’s Closet continue their work of providing K-12 students with in-school access to clothing, toiletries and other necessities.”
Rep. Hong also co-sponsored a noteworthy statewide amendment filed by Representatives Garballey and Tyler securing $9.2 million for Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, which will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell.
For the City of Lowell, the FY 27 House Budget included Chapter 70 Funding of $275,966,413. That number represents an increase of $14.4 million over FY 26. Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) came in at $31,592,675, an increase of nearly $237,000 over FY 26.
The FY 27 House Budget also included $2.7 billion in Fair Share Investments, with $198,000,000 to fund Universal School Meals, $127,048,000 toward Free Community College, and $184,832,000 to support Region Transit Authorities.
The budget also increases the Chapter 70 minimum aid per pupil to $160.
The FY 27 Budget will be taken up next by the Senate for its consideration.
