Massachusetts Senate overrides multiple governor vetoes, restoring targeted budget items including nursing facility rate funding

The Massachusetts Senate voted to override a series of Governor Maura Healey's vetoes on fiscal 2026 budget items, restoring targeted funding that Senate leaders said totals $70,400,000.

Senator Joanne M. Comerford, speaking for the Senate's Ways and Means contingent, said the chamber planned "to override a targeted selection of items vetoed by the governor amounting to a total of $70,400,000," aiming to preserve funding for programs the Senate described as critical, including nursing facility rates, trial courts, housing and early intervention services, and environmental and recreation programs.

During roll-call votes the Senate overturned multiple line-item vetoes from the governor. Key overrides recorded in the session included:

- Item 0330-300 (House No. 4240): Passed — the Senate voted to pass the item notwithstanding the governor's objection; the presiding officer recorded "35 members having voted in the affirmative, 3 members having voted in the negative." The item funds the maintenance of departments, boards, commissions and certain activities (as described on the floor).

- Item 1231-1000: Passed — relating to assistance for communities served by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA); the clerk recorded "38 members having voted in the affirmative, no members having voted in the negative." Senate speakers said this item helps reduce sewer and water rates for MWRA communities.

- Item 2810-100: Passed — a $400,000,000-related veto to Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) operations was rejected; as announced on the floor, the item passed with 37 affirmative votes and 1 negative vote. Supporters said funding preserves state parks, natural and recreational resources and DCR operations.

- Item 4000-0051: Passed — funding for a network of child and family service programs and family resource centers was restored; the clerk recorded 35 affirmative votes and 3 negatives on the record for this item.

- Item 4000-0641: Passed — the Senate restored $25,000,000 in the MassHealth nursing facility rate line item; the clerk recorded 38 affirmative votes and no negatives. Senate proponents argued the funds address workforce shortages and support direct care staffing in nursing facilities.

Senators who spoke in favor of the overrides described the measures as efforts to protect services for municipalities and vulnerable populations while noting the chamber had set aside $860,000,000 in the conference report to address fiscal uncertainty. Senator Comerford said the Senate would continue to monitor fiscal risks while restoring items the chamber judged to be necessary.

Several votes were taken by roll call under the constitution; vote tallies and the presiding officer's announcements are recorded in the session transcript. Where the transcript recorded voice votes or hold requests, those procedural outcomes are noted on the floor.