2025 Year in Review

From housing and health care, to energy, education and more, the Healey-Driscoll Administration spent 2025 making life more affordable for families and businesses in Massachusetts.

Bringing Down Rents and Home Prices

Nearly 100,000 homes are in the pipeline, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration is using every tool in our toolbox to build homes and lower costs for renters and homeowners: 

Nearly 100K new homes  in the pipeline

• Applications for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) surged. In the first six months of 2025, homeowners filed 844 applications to build ADUs on their properties, and Governor Healey is making it easier and cheaper to build ADUs with state support for design and financing.
• Governor Healey unveiled a nation-leading plan to fast-track housing production by cutting environmental review times from 1 year to just 30 days.
• Governor Healey also launched her “State Land for Homes” initiative, offering up more than 450 acres of surplus land to be turned into 3,500 new homes.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration broke ground on the first new 500 homes through the Momentum Fund, a public-private partnership to build new homes, faster.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration created a dedicated funding source to turn vacant office space into new apartments. 

• The Healey-Driscoll Administration has supported 165 communities as they modernize their zoning under the MBTA Communities Act and over 6,300 homes are in development across new zoning district.

In 2025, Governor Healey’s ban on renter-paid broker fees went into effect, saving renters from paying thousands of dollars up front for a broker they didn’t hire.  

Lowering Energy Bills

Governor Healey launched an Energy Affordability Agenda that delivered $220 million in immediate savings and laid the groundwork to save residents billions on their energy bills: 

• Governor Healey secured bill credits for every residential Eversource, National Grid and Unitil customer and unveiled new money saving rates for working and middle-class families.
• Governor Healey introduced the Energy Affordability, Independence and Innovation Act to save more than $13 billion by getting costs off bills, creating more accountability, and bringing new energy into Massachusetts.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration has taken an all-of-the-above strategy to energy – harnessing solar to save $300 million a year, laying the groundwork for nuclear and fusion energy, and clearing the way for hydropower to provide 20% of our electricity.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the Energy Savings Finder, new digital tool to help lower energy bills, boost energy efficiency, and upgrade to new home appliances. 

Governor Healey called on the DPU to launch a first of its kind, comprehensive review of gas and electric rates and charges to identify ways lower customer costs and reduce and remove charges from bills.  

Cutting Health Care Costs

While the federal government lets health care premiums skyrocket, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is making it less expensive to get the care and medication you need:  

Capping costs at $25  for insulin and inhalers

• In January, Governor Healey signed a bill capping the cost of prescription drugs like insulin and inhalers at $25.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration directed insurance companies to reign in increases of deductibles and co-pays. 
• Governor Healey issued an order making over the counter birth control and prenatal vitamins free for half a million patients. 
• The Division of Insurance saved residents and businesses a projected $79 million in health care premiums by negotiating down rate increases from six insurers.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration put $75.6 million in health insurance rebates back into the bank accounts of families and small business owners. 

Making Education More Affordable from Pre-K to College

Massachusetts has a first-in-the-nation education system, and 2025 was all about making learning more affordable from early education to college:  

• As the only state to make pandemic-era child care funding permanent, Massachusetts has added nearly 8,000 child care seats this year meaning more parents can get back to jobs that provide for their family.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration delivered more resources and higher reimbursement rates for child care providers, helping them serve more children and invest in early educators, and opening 450 small child care businesses.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration invested $17 million in capital funding to build new child care and before and after school programs and improve the health, safety and accessibility of learning environments.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration continued funding for free school meals, serving students 8.3 million more free school meals last school year.
• 10,000 high school students now have the opportunity to earn college credit for free because the Healey-Driscoll Administration expanded early college.

Because Governor Healey made public colleges and universities free and affordable, enrollment is back to pre-pandemic levels – and new data shows that graduates make $20,000 to $30,000 more 5 years after graduation.

Cutting the Cost of Doing Business

Governor Healey wants Massachusetts to be the best place in the world to start and scale a business. In addition to creating a Competitiveness Council to improve Massachusetts’ business climate, Governor Healey launched “Mass Means Business” an initiative cut needless regulations to save businesses time and money. 

Feeding Families and Keeping the Heat On

When President Trump cut off SNAP and LIHEAP for Massachusetts families during the shutdown, the Healey-Driscoll Administration acted fast to fight hunger and keep people warm: 

$7 million raised  to fight hunger

• In partnership with all 13 United Ways in Massachusetts, Governor Healey launched a United Response Fund effort that raised $7 million to fight hunger. 
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration created a SNAP Response Hub to help people find food, support food banks and pantries, or connect with food rescue groups. 
• Governor Healey advanced $4 million to food banks to help meet the surge in need.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration extended the winter utility shutoff moratorium and deployed emergency funds to protect families waiting on LIHEAP assistance.  

Protecting Vaccines People Want and Need

As HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spreads misinformation and took away safe, effective vaccines, Governor Healey made sure people in Massachusetts could get the vaccines they want and need: 

• The Division of Insurance and Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a bulletin requiring insurance carriers to continue coverage for vaccines recommended by DPH – not just CDC.   
• Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein issued a standing order allowing pharmacies to provide COVID vaccines in Massachusetts. 
• Massachusetts joined several northeastern states and New York City to create the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to share know-how, build capacity, and strengthen regional readiness. 
• Governor Healey and the Department of Public Health rolled out a seasonal vaccine awareness campaign to counter misinformation and encourage residents to get vaccinated.
• Governor Healey signed a FY25 closeout budget that expands DPH’s flexibility to set immunization schedules and requirements for the state. 

When the Secretary Kennedy’s handpicked vaccine advisors walked away from longstanding recommendations on hepatitis B, Governor Healey reaffirmed Massachusetts’ commitment to science-based guidance. 

Standing Up for Science and Research

Massachusetts is home to world-leading hospitals, universities, and researchers. As federal cuts threatened science and medical research, the Healey-Driscoll Administration took steps to safeguard the innovation economy — and the jobs and cures it creates: 

• Governor Healey launched the DRIVE Initiative (Discovery, Research and Innovation for a Vibrant Economy), including legislation to leverage $400 million in state funding to retain top talent, create jobs, and protect the core of our innovation economy. 
• DRIVE legislation would also create the Research Catalyst Fund to receive philanthropic and industry matching contributions to support cutting-edge work.
• Governor Healey signed an Executive Order establishing the Acceleration Team, bringing together leaders in business, medicine, and higher education to strengthen Massachusetts’ research leadership. 

Countering the Trump Tax

When President Trump imposed tariffs that drove up prices and disrupted supply chains, Governor Healey worked with partners on both sides of the border to help businesses and consumers: 

• Governor Healey convened governors from across the Northeast and Canada to discuss the impact of tariffs and identify opportunities for continued economic partnership.
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration launched TRBO – the Tariff Response and Business Operations Support Initiative – to better align state assistance for businesses facing rising costs and supply chain challenges. 

Defending Reproductive Freedom

As federal attacks on reproductive freedom escalated, Governor Healey made it clear that Massachusetts would always protect women’s access to care:

$5 million in direct support  for providers at risk of losing federal funding

• Governor Healey signed legislation strengthening the SHIELD Law, protecting patients and providers from out-of-state interference. 
• The Healey-Driscoll Administration adopted emergency regulations to ensure Massachusetts nurses couldn’t be denied licenses or face discipline for providing reproductive health care.
• When President Trump defunded Planned Parenthood, Governor Healey delivered $2 million to preserve access to essential reproductive health services. 

Governor Healey also signed a FY25 closeout budget that provides $5 million in direct support to reproductive health providers at risk of losing federal funds. 

Making Massachusetts the Best Place to Live, Work and Learn

Education

This year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration strengthened early literacy by supporting 46 districts buy evidence-based curriculum, funding free tutoring in 272 elementary schools, and providing professional development for 500 educators. Together with the Legislature, the Administration delivered record funding for public education, including special education and transportation. Governor Healey also launched a Statewide Graduation Council to set clear expectations for student success after high school. To expand career pathways, she secured $100 million to add 3,000 career technical education seats over three years — on top of 900 added this year. 

Public Safety & Security

Governor Healey brought together state and local law enforcement through statewide public safety roundtables focused on collaboration and prevention. Through Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhoods, these efforts led to nearly 500 arrests, the removal of more than 65 illegal firearms, and the seizure of drugs and illegal proceeds. The Administration also cracked down on illegal street takeovers and expanded safety support for campuses, houses of worship, and nonprofits. This year, Massachusetts advanced the development of a new State Police Crime Lab, opened a new Fire Services Burn Building, and hosted the inaugural Victims Services Summit. 

Health & Human Services

Governor Healey launched the Anti-Hunger Task Force to bring public and private partners together to address food insecurity. The Administration invested in the healthcare workforce by expanding nursing education, scholarships, and loan repayment for behavioral health professionals. Governor Healey also protected access to care by securing funding for safety-net hospitals and community health centers. An Executive Order outlined a whole-of-government approach to keeping Massachusetts age-friendly for older adults.

Technology

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is using technology to make government more effective and responsive. Through the AI for the Commonwealth initiative, UMass Amherst students partnered with state agencies to improve customer service, data management, and reporting. The Administration also worked with Worcester Polytechnic Institute to strengthen the datasets behind the state’s new AI Hub while protecting privacy. These partnerships show how innovation can deliver real results for residents.

Environmental Affairs

In 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration took major steps to protect Massachusetts’ natural resources. The Administration set first-in-the-nation statewide biodiversity goals to conserve land, restore habitats, and protect wildlife. It also introduced the Mass Ready Act to strengthen infrastructure, safeguard drinking water, and support local economies. The final ResilientCoasts strategy will help coastal communities prepare for flooding and extreme weather.

Labor & Workforce

This year, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has registered its 10,000th apprentice and partnered with employers across industries to launch 100 new Registered Apprenticeship Programs in 2025. The Administration also delivered $1.1 billion in paid family and medical leave benefits, providing stability for workers and families while strengthening the economy. Since 2023, the MassHire Career Center network has supported more than 300,000 jobseekers with training and reemployment services and helped 33,000 employers meet their workforce needs.

Veterans

The Healey-Driscoll Administration strengthened support for veterans by expanding access to housing, healthcare, and more. Through the End Veterans Homelessness initiative, more than 1,200 veterans were housed across Massachusetts. The Administration also achieved all federal licensure and certification milestones at the Holyoke and Chelsea Veterans Homes, improving quality and accountability. In addition, the HERO Act was fully implemented to better support veterans and military families statewide.

Transportation

In 2025, the Healey-Driscoll Administration moved long-delayed transportation projects forward and improved safety across the state. Major milestones included opening the Bill Russell Bridge, breaking ground on the Natick Diamond Interchange and the Rourke Bridge in Lowell, and advancing the Charlton–Oxford project. South Coast Rail reopened after more than 60 years, restoring passenger rail service to the region. The MBTA increased subway frequency, expanded bus routes, and extended service hours to better meet riders’ needs.

Economic Development

In 2025, Governor Healey convened the Competitiveness Council to strengthen Massachusetts’ business climate. LEGO and Hasbro took steps toward relocating to Boston, and the Administration awarded $40 million in life sciences tax credits, supporting more than 2,320 new jobs. The Administration streamlined access to state resources through the Business Front Door and supported investment through Business Builds. The SHIELD Defense Initiative and MA250 boosted innovation, tourism, and economic growth statewide.