Healey's New Budget: Sweet Taxes, Hospital Shifts, and Transit Boosts

Governor Maura Healey recently unveiled her budget plan for the next fiscal year, and it's a mix of investments and tough calls. The $62 billion proposal aims to boost various areas like education and housing. One big change? Taxing candy and cutting mental health jobs. The budget also looks at closing some hospitals and tweaking shelter benefits. Plus, it suggests new ways to help the MBTA and renters. But lawmakers will need to dig into these ideas to see what works best. The budget kicks off with a 3% spending growth, focusing on key areas. The millionaire's tax, approved in 2022, is helping fund big projects. Education gets a significant boost, with $7. 3 billion for schools and programs to help kids catch up after pandemic learning loss. Early childhood education also sees more support. On the housing front, Healey wants to reduce some shelter benefits and change how renter fees work. But there's concern that cutting benefits could push more people into already full shelters. The budget also eyes tax changes, like taxing candy and synthetic nicotine. Health care faces cuts too, with staff reductions at the Department of Mental Health and plans to close some hospitals. These moves come as the need for mental health care has grown since the pandemic. The MBTA would get a big boost from the "millionaire's tax" to help with its deficit. But it's a short-term solution. Overall, Healey's plan is a starting point, and lawmakers will need to review and adjust as they see fit.