Budget chiefs Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and Sen. Michael Rodrigues are currently in negotiations for a fiscal year 2025 budget deal in Massachusetts. While the deadline for delivering a yearly spending plan to the governor is July 1, lawmakers have historically missed this deadline, resulting in interim budgets being put in place. Despite not publicly pledging to turn in a budget on time this year, Gov. Maura Healey has filed a $6.9 billion plan to cover spending through July 31 as a precaution.
Experts have noted that the timeliness of the state budget does impact the overall fiscal health of Massachusetts but that other factors, such as a balanced budget with reserves, are more crucial. While talks between House and Senate budget negotiators are described as being in an “advanced” stage, meeting the July 1 deadline is seen more as a “point of pride” rather than a substantive requirement.
The governor’s office has not commented on the timeline for the budget, and past trends indicate that a late budget this year would not be surprising. Late budgets can impact the ability to start new programs or expand existing services, creating challenges for state agencies and municipalities that rely on state funding. Additionally, prolonged budget negotiations can detract from focus on other high-profile policies and bills, potentially delaying important legislative decisions.
Overall, while meeting the July 1 deadline for the state budget is seen as important, the practical impact of missing it is not significant, according to Senate budget chief Michael Rodrigues. With continued negotiations and historical trends in mind, the resolution of the fiscal year 2025 budget remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.
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