Representative Bowen, senator's letter outline state budget aid that could ease local pressure

Representative Hannah Bowen (delivering remarks identified in the meeting as Representative Bowen) and a written message from State Senator Joan Lovely detailed where the FY27 state budget stood and the possible effects for Beverly during a joint meeting March 18.

The senator's letter, read aloud at the meeting, explained that Governor Healy filed H 2 on Jan. 28 and that the House and Senate will each produce versions of the budget in April and May respectively. The letter summarized projected changes in local aid, including proposed Chapter 70 and unrestricted general government aid increases for Beverly.

Bowen, speaking live, urged local leaders to stay engaged with the budget calendar and highlighted priorities that could affect municipal and school budgets: increases to unrestricted general government aid, additional Chapter 90 funds for roads and sidewalks, funding to sustain preschool lunches and other programs that might otherwise become unfunded mandates, and supplemental investments (including fair-share surtax allocations) that could be used for one-time projects. She emphasized that many education bills under debate include grant or funding mechanisms "so no one is left with an unfunded mandate."

Bowen also flagged upcoming hearings: a joint Ways and Means education hearing in April and a public hearing where residents can submit testimony on March 31. She noted an inspector general report issued recently with recommendations on transportation procurement and regional approaches to reduce costs.

Officials in the room used Bowen's update and the senator's figures to ask specific questions about how potential chapter increases and the fair-share surtax might change Beverly's revenue outlook; Bowen said those numbers remain subject to change as the House and Senate proposals advance.

Next steps: residents and officials may watch or attend the Ways and Means hearings and a March 31 public hearing; the House and Senate budget deliberations will shape how much aid reaches Beverly in FY27.