Massachusetts Senate overrides multiple gubernatorial vetoes, restoring funding for housing, education and social services

The Massachusetts Senate voted to override a series of gubernatorial vetoes on items in Section 2 of the FY26 general appropriation bill, restoring funding for a range of programs including charter school reimbursements, shelter workforce supports, early‑intervention services for young children, services for blind and visually impaired residents, low‑threshold housing for people with substance‑use and mental‑health disorders, and workforce and vocational training programs.

Senator Jo Comerford, the senator from Hampshire, argued repeatedly for the Senate to overturn the governor's reductions, saying the cuts would eliminate or sharply reduce supports for vulnerable populations. "This particular veto would eliminate earmarked funding for maximizing the independent living skills of legally blind residents," Comerford said, adding the funding supports "rehabilitation programs, housing assistance services, adjustment counseling services, and devices, software, and technology trainings for the blind." On the issue of housing, Comerford said: "This veto would reduce funding earmarked for low‑threshold housing for homeless individuals with substance use and mental health disorders at risk who are also at risk of HIV."

What the Senate did

Rather than debate each line item at length, the Senate proceeded through a sequence of roll calls on individual items. For each item introduced as coming "from the House" and reported as having been returned by the governor with a reduction or disapproval, the question put to…