Line item 7007-0150 in the FY26 Massachusetts budget (H4240) allocates $1 million for regional economic-development grants to support contracts with regional-economic development organizations under sections 3J and 3K of chapter 23A of the General Laws. The governor vetoed the entire $1 million, citing a reevaluation of needs and resources after filing her budget recommendation.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives overrode the governor's line-item veto in H4240 on October 8, 2025 by a vote of 153 to 2. We have assigned pluses to the nays because using taxpayer funds for providing government grants to regional economic-development organizations distorts the free market, unfairly benefits state-favored entities with taxpayer funds, and promotes socialism. Economic development should be fostered through tax reductions, deregulation, and private investment rather than government subsidies that increase fiscal burdens on taxpayers and reduce individual liberty.
United States Constitution
Fifth Amendment
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
United States Constitution
Ninth Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
United States Constitution
14th Amendment Section 1
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
