Mass. early education officials warn FY26 budget could force cuts to preschool supports and slow voucher access

At a May meeting of the Department of Early Education and Care board, agency budget staff outlined points of agreement and sharp differences among the governor's, House and Senate FY26 spending plans and warned the House's reductions could force program cuts and payment delays.

The agency's chief financial officer, Eric Hanson, said the governor's budget (House 1) recommended full funding of the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) program at $475,000,000 but the House's final budget reduced several EEC priorities, including the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) and the caseload account. "The governor filed her budget. The senate has completed their version. The house has completed their version," Hanson said as he reviewed the three versions.

Why it matters: the House's funding decisions would make it harder for EEC to sustain current CPPI grants at FY25 levels, limit the agency's ability to issue new planning grants and leave the childcare financial assistance caseload underfunded. Commissioner Kershaw told the board, "we are…