Gov. Healey Releases Dashboard Detailing Federal Cuts
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have cut $3.7 billion in funding from Massachusetts' budget, and a $1.4 million toward a local digital equity effort is on the chopping block.
On Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey's administration released an updated dashboard detailing the impact of federal funding cuts on the state over the next several fiscal years.
"This is funding used to support programs and services that assist millions of state residents with everything from health care to housing," a press release from Healey's office reads.
"This is on top of an estimated $2.6 billion in terminated National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation grants for lifesaving research and development at Massachusetts universities, hospitals, and research institutions."
UCP of Western Massachusetts, in Pittsfield, which serves people with all types of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, is facing a potential loss of $1.4 million in federal funds for expanding internet access to rural areas.
The website explains that UCP was in the process of collaborating with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission for a digital equity initiative, but "due to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration terminating the $14.1 million grant for the Digital Equity Act, this collaboration will not move forward as we need funds to educate, assess, and [train] people on safe Wi-Fi-use."
The Hitchcock Center for the Environment in Amherst could lose more than $380,000 in federal funding associated with an Environmental Justice grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United Way of Central MA could lose $283,000 in federal funds related to a food and shelter program run by the Department of Homeland Security.
Healey's office wrote that the $3.7 billion in cuts to the state budget include a loss of up to $3.3 billion in funds cut by Congress, and another $399 million in cuts from executive action by Trump.
Massachusetts received $22.9 billion in federal funding last year.
The dashboard displays federal funding cuts by issue area, made by the Trump administration and by congressional action, along with systemwide and statewide impacts.
More than 108,000 people are at risk of losing Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which account for 20 percent of grocery store, super center, and retail sales, and generate more than $3 billion for retailers.
"For the first time, the dashboard reveals the full anticipated impact of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," which is going to cost Massachusetts $664 million in lost tax revenue this year," Healey's office wrote on Tuesday.
"That same bill is projected to result in up to 300,000 Massachusetts residents losing their health care coverage through MassHealth and the Health Connector. Another 108,500 people are expected to lose their SNAP food assistance benefits."
The Healey administration urges people to continue reporting issues with federal funding.
"The administration is working to build a comprehensive picture of how federal actions are affecting businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities across Massachusetts. This information will inform policymakers across state agencies as they develop the state's response to directives from the federal government," the dashboard reads.
"If your city, town, nonprofit organization, or business has been impacted by federal government actions, use the link below to tell us about your experience."
Tags: budget cuts,
