A "big, beautiful" budget headache

AARP thanks legislators for passing a budget that invests in older residents, supports the Commonwealth’s 780,000 family caregivers, and helps more people save for retirement through Secure Choice. We urge Governor Healey to sign it. For more information, visit aarp.org/ma.

"Big" and "beautiful" must be in the eye of the beholder.

The federal tax and policy megabill with that "big, beautiful" moniker completed its arduous journey through the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, putting congressional Republicans much closer to achieving many of their top priorities.

It will come as no surprise that Democrats are apoplectic about the legislation, pointing to projections that it will lead millions of Americans to lose health care and steer its most significant benefits toward the wealthy. U.S. Sen. Ed Markey called it "a catastrophic assault on health care, food, and climate."

Under the Golden Dome, the bill — which still needs final approval in the U.S. House — will cause all sorts of financial headaches.

The U.S. Senate vote came just one day after the Legislature sent Gov. Maura Healey a $61 billion budget that, despite coming in smaller than first proposed and featuring a built-in financial cushion, still relies mostly on federal funding projections crafted months before Washington's plans became clear.

Healey already faces a ticking, 10-day clock to act on the state budget, which is generally the largest piece of legislation of the year. Congress made her job even harder. 

The cuts in the federal bill, especially to Medicaid, could dramatically reshape the math of the plan in front of Healey. After state lawmakers raced to finish their work, it will now fall to the governor to figure out if more trimming — and where — is needed to balance it all out.

"Congressional Republicans put their blind loyalty to Donald Trump over their constituents. They were elected to lower costs and strengthen our economy — but this bill does the opposite," Healey said Tuesday.

What she'll do next isn't totally clear. Healey must act on the state budget by July 10, and final approval of the federal bill could happen before then. Will she sharpen her veto pen in anticipation of plummeting federal funds, or send back substantial amendments to bring lawmakers into the fold again? Or will Healey sign the budget mostly as is and tackle any changes further down the line once the impacts are clearer? — Chris Lisinski

How would the congressional reconciliation bill impact your life, job or family? Get in touch: [email protected].

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9:00 | Taunton recounts votes cast in the House special election for the Third Bristol District open seat. Democrat Lisa Field claimed victory in the June special election, leading by 21 votes out of more than 5,100 cast. Republican candidate Larry Quintal is seeking the district-wide recount. Easton's recount was Monday | Taunton City Hall, Council Chambers, 15 Summer St., Taunton

SEVEN DAYS LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF ICE: The Globe reported from immigrant communities across Massachusetts for seven days, putting on display the fear, uncertainty and loss occurring as immigrants are arrested and detained by ICE and forced to leave behind the country, their families and their lives. — Boston Globe

FED FREEZE ON NEW WIND PERMITS ENSNARES MASS. PROJECTS: A Trump administration halt on the issuance of new off-shore wind permits until 2026 has created problems for two Massachusetts projects, SouthCoast Wind and New England Wind. Both have indicated they'd support construction activities and turbine operations from the Port of New Bedford. Off-shore wind is not a meaningful source of energy for Massachusetts, nearly nine years after a clean energy law put the option in front of it. — SHNS via New Bedford Light

CAMPBELL JOINS SUIT OVER MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING CUTS: AG Andrea Campbell has joined a lawsuit filed by her counterparts in several New England States attempting to get cuts to federal student mental health funding reversed. School departments learned in April that the program through which they were receiving funding was being shut down. The lawsuit claims the Trump administration violated the federal Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution. — Boston Globe

TRUMP ADMIN WITHOLDS $ FROM SCHOOLS: The Trump administration notified states Monday that it is reviewing and withholding over $6 billion in federal education grants to schools that had already been approved, one day before those funds have typically been dispersed to districts on July 1. — NPR

RECONCILIATION BENEFITS BY REGION: The wealthiest neighborhoods in Massachusetts would benefit the most from the congressional reconciliation bill, especially via the raised cap on state and local tax deductions. That cap, which would be raised from $10,000 to $40,000 for five years, allows taxpayers to itemize and write off certain things from their federal tax bill, like property or income tax. — Boston Globe

MCAS BALLOT QUESTION SUPPORTERS PAY:  A teachers' union-funded group called "High Standards, not High Stakes" that successfully advanced the ballot question that did away with a requirement that public high school students pass the MCAS before receiving high school diplomas just paid the state $4,000 for failing to report $2.3 million in contributions according to the schedule prescribed by the state. — Boston Herald

SUIT IN NEW BEDFORD: The New Bedford Light filed a lawsuit against the city of New Bedford, claiming the city inappropriately withheld access to public records on two occasions — when it didn't provide ARPA risk assessments, and when it declined to provide records about payment to a consultant evaluating the police department. — New Bedford Light

GARBAGE STRIKE IN FULL SWING: A labor dispute between Republic Services, a private garbage and recycling handler, and unionized workers led to a strike Tuesday. The about 450 workers belong to Teamsters Local 25, and Republic issued a statement indicating the company will find a way to operate without them. — WBUR

CLOSED-DOORS FOR STEAMSHIP AUTHORITY GM SEARCH: The Steamship Authority's search for a new general manager will take place behind closed doors, the SSA said, as potential candidates may not want their interest in the job known to their current employers. Once the board has made a selection, that person will be presented to the board for approval in open session. The position is set to pay between $200,000 and $300,000 annually. — MVTimes

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Something was wrong. The due date for their twins was still months away. Twenty-six weeks was far too soon. With emotions and fear running high, Molly and Maddy Needham were born weighing less than two pounds, and it wasn’t until day seven that their parents were able to hold their daughters for the first time — READ MORE

WPI PAUSES HOTEL-TO-DORM PROJECT: Worcester Polytechnic Institute said Tuesday that significant financial changes to the university are putting on hold a plan to convert a hotel the university purchased last year into dorms. The Hampton Inn plans to continue to operate as a hotel, and the college said its revenue will "provide financial resiliency for WPI and continue to produce property and hotel taxes for the city." — Telegram & Gazette

A BAKERY, COCAINE TRAFFICKERS, THE END OF A POLICE CAREER: Samuel Gomez-Gonzalez's days as a Massachusetts police officer are over, pending any successful legal challenge to action taken against him. Gomez-Gonzalez was fired from the Springfield police force in 2023 after the FBI concluded he was tipping off drug dealers working out of a city bakery about law enforcement operations. — MassLive

WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS' NEW LEADER: After 30 years working in the Worcester Public Schools, Brian Allen spent his first day as superintendent on Tuesday. In a video, Allen said the district will see more of him, "visiting schools, connecting with families and engaging with our community." His previous roles in the district included deputy superintendent and chief financial officer. — Telegram & Gazette

GREENFIELD TO USE FEDERAL GRANTS TO BUY LOCKERS FOR HOMELESS: The city of Greenfield is planning to use federal Community Development Block Grant money for a project that would provide lockers for homeless people. The program is being modeled after one in Northampton.  — Greenfield Recorder

Eric Convey contributed to this edition.

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