Sen. Lewis and Rep. Lipper-Garabedian Secure $250,000 for Local Melrose Priorities in State Budget

BOSTON—State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian are pleased to announce that they secured $250,000 for various local priorities in Melrose 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.

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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 Representative Lipper-Garabedian secured funding for the following projects in Melrose:

• $100,000 to purchase new public safety and emergency medical equipment.
• $100,000 for stage light replacements and other capital improvements at Memorial Hall.
• $50,000 for exterior improvements to the Milano Senior Center.

The Legislature also allocated $13.9 million to support Melrose Public Schools and $6.6 million of Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA) for Melrose 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 Rep. Lipper-Garabedian and I were able to secure funding for safety equipment and improvements to the Milano Center and Memorial Hall.”

“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 Representative 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 $250K in earmarks alongside Senator Lewis that prioritize these values and support Melrose 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.