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Commission on the Status of Women seeks modest FY2026 increase to expand regional outreach and reports
Summary
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women told the Joint Committee on Ways and Means it seeks roughly a 1 percent increase in FY2026 to continue regional public hearings, a girls empowerment summit, Commonwealth Heroines awards and to support newly formed emerita and youth pipelines for commissioners.
Meredith Tuitt, chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), and Vice Chair Christine Monska presented the commission’s FY2026 request at the Gloucester field hearing on March 10. The commission asked for a modest, roughly 1% increase that would raise its appropriation to $1,031,256 to support regional commissions, statewide public hearings, research reports and outreach programming.
What the commission does The MCSW cited statutory duties to study and report on the status of women (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 3, §66) and described recent work including reports on the status of LGBTQ+ individuals and on COVID‑19 impacts for women of color. The commission said it convenes regional hearings, hosts an annual Girls Empowerment and Leadership Summit, runs a Commonwealth Heroines program and provides technical assistance to regional women’s commissions.
Why it matters: MCSW leaders told the committee the modest increase would allow the agency to continue outreach to regional networks, produce timely reports and support a growing emerita program to retain experienced regional commissioners.
Ending: The commission said it will present legislative priorities at an advocacy day on March 24 and asked the committee to support the proposed modest increase.
