We’re in the State Budget!
We are excited to share some incredible news: BAY-CASH has been awarded $100K in the FY 2026 Massachusetts State Budget!
“and provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to BAY-CASH to provide direct cash assistance to unaccompanied homeless youth..”
BAY-CASH was included as an earmark in the Homeless Youth Grant Program budget line item, 4000-7000. It’s inclusion is the result of two years of sustained effort from our team and amazing legislative sponsors.
The earmark started as an amendment to the House budget submitted by our longtime champion, Representative Steve Owen. In April, Rep. Owen’s amendment received 19 co-sponsors before its inclusion in the House budget. We are grateful for their support!
Rep. James Arena-DeRosa
Rep. Michelle Ciccolo
Rep. Marjorie Decker
Rep. Kate Donaghue
Rep. Rodney Elliott
Rep. Brandy Fluker-Reid
Rep. Sean Garballey
Rep. Carmine Gentile
Rep. Natalie Higgins
Rep. Russell Holmes
Rep. Tara Hong
Rep. Patrick Kearney
Rep. Jack Lewis
Rep. Samantha Montano
Rep. John Moran
Rep. Steve Owens
Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa
Rep. Amy Sangiolo
Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven
Rep. Susannah Whipps
The Senate submitted a parallel amendment in May, championed by Sen. Nick Collins, Sen. Lydia Edwards, Sen. James Eldridge, Sen. John Keenan, Sen. Liz Miranda, Sen. Michael Moore, and Sen. Pavel Payano. The final legislative committee approved the amendment in June before sending it to Governor Healey’s office for review and signature in July.
This is a significant milestone and wouldn't be possible without the continued partnership of all our partners. Your guidance, emails, phone calls, and donations moved us from cold calls to legislators to a budget line item, and the state's investment represents a robust validation of our model and the future we are building together. It also makes MA one of the very few states in the country to include a Guaranteed Income program as part of its annual state budget!!!
*Note that we are watching federal funding cuts and withholdings closely. Most earmarks are currently on hold and we are aware that significant changes to our state’s revenue from the federal government may lead to FY 2026 budget reductions (for more information on the Governor’s 9C authority to reduce an approved budget, see here). In response, our immediate next steps include working closely with our legislative champions to ensure this money is allocated quickly. While we celebrate this major win, we are prepared to fight for BAY-CASH to remain funded and will reach out for support as needed.
Thank you for standing with us. This win is for all of us, and we are SO grateful to be in this together!