View the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

The following information is related to the FY24 Budget.

Budget Savings Information

The Governor has the authority (under Section 9C of Chapter 29 of the Massachusetts General Laws) to make spending reductions when there is a budget shortfall and there is no (supplemental) money to fund that shortfall. Learn more about Section 9C authority

Governor's FY24 9C filing letter

FY24 Adjusted Blueprint

FY24 9C Line Item Listing

9C Earmark Report

Summary of the steps in the budget process:

 

Step 1: Governor's Budget

The budget begins as a bill that the Governor submits in January (or February if at the start of a new term) to the House of Representatives.

Step 2: House Ways & Means Budget

The House Ways and Means Committee reviews this budget and then develops its own recommendation.

Step 3: House Budget

Once debated, amended and voted on by the full House, it becomes the House budget bill.

Step 4: Senate Ways & Means Budget

At this point, the House passes its bill to the Senate. The Senate Ways & Means Committee reviews that bill and develops its own recommendation.

Step 5: Senate Budget

Once debated, amended and voted on, it becomes the Senate's budget bill.

Step 6: Conference Committee Budget

House and Senate leadership then assign members to a joint "conference committee" to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate bills. Once that work is completed, the conference committee returns its bill to the House for a vote. If the House makes any changes to the bill, it must return the bill to the conference committee to be renegotiated. Once approved by the House, the budget passes to the Senate, which then votes its approval.

Step 7: Vetoes

From there, the Senate passes the bill to the Governor who has ten days to review and approve it or make vetoes or reductions. The Governor may approve or veto the entire budget or may veto or reduce certain line items or sections, but may not add anything.

Step 8: Overrides

The House and Senate may vote to override the Governor's vetoes. Overrides require a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Step 9: Final Budget

The final budget is also known as the General Appropriations Act or Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023. The final budget consists of the Conference Committee version, minus any vetoes, plus any overrides.