Why Massachusetts Continues a 16-Year Streak of Missing Its Budget Deadline

It has been nearly two decades since Massachusetts started a new fiscal year with a state budget in place, and that trend won't end this year.

The Massachusetts Constitution requires a balanced budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1, but it doesn't require that the budget be ratified and signed into law by the governor by that date.

That's a good thing, because it didn't happen this year and hasn't happened in many years.

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Why the July 1 Deadline Was Missed Again

Often, including this year, the Massachusetts Legislature approved an interim budget to pay the state's bills through July 31 or until a new budget is in place.

Massachusetts Hasn't Had A Budget On Time In Many Years

A 16-Year History of Budget Delays

State House News Service reported, "The last time a governor here was able to sign a budget into law before the fiscal year began was in 2010." That was 16 years ago. Deval Patrick was governor then.

At last check, Massachusetts lawmakers were on the verge of sending something to Governor Maura Healey's desk. Once a budget is sent to Healey, she has 10 days to decide what to do with it.

What Are Governor Healey's Options?

Healey's options are to sign the budget as it is, make line-item vetoes, return the budget with specific amendments, or veto the entire package. The governor may even allow the budget to automatically become law after 10 days by doing nothing.

Gov. Healey quickly signed a $60.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 on July 4, 2025, before heading out of town for vacation. Healey trimmed some $130 million from the budget before signing it into law.