Malden Delegation Secures $885,000 for Numerous Local Priorities in State Budget

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representatives Paul Donato, Steven Ultrino, and Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that they secured $885,000 for various local priorities in Malden as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Massachusetts state budget.

Without raising taxes on residents, the $63.4 billion FY27 state budget is a fiscally responsible blueprint to drive down costs for residents and boost the state's economy. The plan delivers record levels of investments in public education and local aid for cities and towns, unlocks new housing production, strengthens the state’s public transportation systems, and protects vulnerable residents from the impact of federal cuts.

The budget also reconvenes the Foundation Budget Review Commission to examine the K-12 public school funding formula to assess how the state can support municipalities by addressing rising costs in special education, student transportation, personnel, and healthcare.

Within the FY27 budget, Senator Lewis and Representatives Donato, Ultrino, and Lipper-Garabedian secured funding for the following projects in Malden:

• $150,000 to Portal to Hope for services and prevention education related to domestic violence and at-risk youth/school-based violence.
• $100,000 for the Malden River Works project.
• $100,000 for the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program.
• $100,000 to Housing Families for regional shared services.
• $100,000 to the Coalition for Anti-Racism and Equity and the Commonwealth Seminar for a joint fellowship program for high school and college students from underrepresented communities of color.
• $100,000 for flood mitigation and stormwater infrastructure improvements, including maintenance of the Town Line Brook and Linden Brook culverts.
• $75,000 to Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) to support their mobile homeless outreach program.
• $60,000 for public park improvements.
• $50,000 for upgrades and improvements to the city’s streetscape.
• $50,000 to Housing Families for their homeless children program.

The Legislature also allocated $70.8 million to support Malden Public Schools and $16 million of Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) for Malden to use as they see fit in their general budget.

“I’m proud that this budget delivers critical funding to our public schools and communities, reconvenes the Foundation Budget Review Commission to investigate new ways to ensure adequate and equitable funding for all school districts, and makes our state more affordable for working families with significant investments in housing, healthcare, and childcare,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “I’m especially pleased that Representatives Donato, Ultrino, and Lipper-Garabedian and I were able to secure funding for Housing Families, public park improvements, and many other local initiatives.”

“I am so appreciative of the Malden Delegation and the work we have done to acquire these various earmarks during this tough budget season,” said House Second Assistant Majority Leader Paul Donato. “These earmarks will not only greatly benefit the city, but they will create positive improvements for the constituents in our respective districts. I look forward to continuing to advocate for Malden and all its needs.”

“This budget is a testament to the Commonwealth’s commitment to delivering critical services and financial support to communities across the state, despite devastating federal funding cuts and continued hostility from the federal government,” said House Chair Steven Ultrino. “I’m proud to have worked alongside Representatives Donato and Lipper-Garabedian, as well as Senator Lewis, to secure $885,000 in funding for the City of Malden and its community partners. From youth career development programs to local infrastructure improvements, these earmarks will support a wide range of important community initiatives and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Malden residents. I also want to sincerely thank Speaker Ron Mariano, Senate President Karen Spilka, and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership throughout the budget process.”

“The FY27 budget is a powerful reflection of our values and priorities as a Commonwealth, including addressing affordability for residents while protecting our most vulnerable residents from the harmful impact of federal cuts,” said House Chair Kate Lipper-Garabedian. “In Massachusetts, we recognize the value of public education, as reflected by the implementation of the final year of the Student Opportunity Act. This budget also includes significant investments in affordable housing, healthcare, public transportation, and municipal aid. At the local level, I am proud to have secured $885K in earmarks alongside Representative Ultrino, Representative Donato, and Senator Lewis that prioritize these values and support Malden residents.”

The FY27 state budget received final passage from the House of Representatives and Senate on July 1, 2026, and was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey on July 9, 2026.