MALDEN DELEGATION SUPPORTS HOUSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BILL TO DRIVE GROWTH ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

BOSTON – Tuesday, July 14, 2026 – Last Wednesday, State Representatives Paul Donato, Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Steven Ultrino joined their colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing H.5562, An Act relative to economic development in the Commonwealth, a $561 million economic development bond bill that creates strategic investments to strengthen the state's economy, support innovation, expand housing opportunities, and help communities and businesses thrive. The legislation includes hundreds of thousands of dollars for local economic development projects in Malden, subject to future bond authorization, while making targeted updates to key economic development programs, promoting job creation, reducing barriers to growth, and positioning Massachusetts to remain competitive in the industries of the future.  

"I want to thank Speaker Mariano, House leadership, and my colleagues for their work in advancing this important legislation,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “This bill reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our economy and supporting communities across the Commonwealth, and I look forward to continuing to work with the Malden delegation to secure key investments for local priorities and programs that will help our community grow." 

“This comprehensive economic development bill makes critical investments in key sectors of the Commonwealth’s economy, while supporting small businesses, encouraging housing production and strengthening fair housing protections, and investing in our cities and towns through efforts like downtown revitalization,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “As Co-Chair of the Emerging Technology Caucus, I am glad to see investments in robotics, AI, and cybersecurity that position the Commonwealth as a leader on innovation, while balancing responsible use of these advancements. Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Fiola, and Chair Finn for prioritizing this legislation.” 

“I am very proud of the hard work of the Malden Delegation, as well as House Leadership, to pass this critical bill for the Massachusetts economy,” said State Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford). “This will without a doubt catapult much needed changes in Malden and communities across the entire Commonwealth.” 

Among its most significant provisions, the legislation: 

• Expands housing opportunities by creating new tools for municipalities to encourage housing production and the adaptive reuse of underutilized commercial properties. The bill streamlines local approvals for commercial-to-residential conversions, establishes a framework for multifamily housing on qualifying religious properties with affordability requirements, and improves local planning and permitting through standardized site plan review procedures and training for local land use boards. 

• Strengthens tenant protections and fair housing by authorizing municipalities to adopt a local option tenant right of first refusal for certain multifamily property sales while enhancing oversight of the real estate profession. 

• Improves the Commonwealth's fiscal resilience by creating new resources to respond to federal funding uncertainty, support hospitals and community health centers, invest in critical infrastructure, and provide bridge funding for colleges and universities facing disruptions to federal research funding. 

• Supports entrepreneurs and small businesses by reducing the filing fee to establish a new limited liability company (LLC) from $500 to $100, making it easier and more affordable to start a business in Massachusetts. 

• Establishes Massachusetts' first comprehensive micromobility framework by creating statewide safety standards and operational guidelines for electric bicycles and other powered personal transportation devices. 

• Strengthens the innovation economy by expanding incentives for the film industry and creating a new tax credit to support digital game development in Massachusetts. 

The bill includes $561 million in capital authorizations, such as: 

• $100 million for the SHIELD Initiative to strengthen Massachusetts' leadership in defense innovation and national security technologies. 

• $75 million to support artificial intelligence infrastructure, emerging technologies, and innovation. 

• $50 million to help municipalities convert underutilized commercial properties into housing. 

• $50 million for remediation of former state-owned properties. 

• $25 million to expand business development programs supporting commercial, industrial, and manufacturing projects. 

• $25 million to advance robotics research and commercialization through MassTech. 

• $25 million for downtown revitalization projects that strengthen local business districts and public spaces. 

• $25 million to support arts, culture, and creative economy investments. 

• $20 million to attract international businesses and investment to Massachusetts. 

• $20 million for veterans supportive housing initiatives. 

• $10 million to strengthen food science, sustainable agriculture, and agricultural technology. 

Having passed the House of Representatives 148-2, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.  

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Malden House Delegation Votes to Pass FY27 Budget

BOSTON - Thursday, April 30, 2026 - This Wednesday, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed H.5500, the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget. Funded at $63.41 billion, the House’s FY27 budget addresses the critical needs of families and residents across the Commonwealth while dedicating funding to making our communities and state more affordable, livable, and equitable. While taking into consideration the uncertainty of federal cutbacks, this spending bill provides for many critical investments, including significant funding for education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development. 

In the past week, the Malden House Delegation has worked with leadership and other legislators to ensure the bill will provide financial support and much-needed resources to the City of Malden and its community partners. Representatives Paul Donato, Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Steven Ultrino have successfully advocated for and secured $600,000 in local earmarks in the FY27 budget, which include the following:   

• $150,000 for Portal to Hope as part of their community based domestic violence program that includes a "teens-at-risk" project 

• $100,000 for Malden Mayor’s Youth Employment Program (MSYEP) 

• $100,000 for the Leadership Next Gen Fellowship Program 

• $100,000 for flood mitigation efforts at Town Line and Linden Brook in the City of Malden 

• $50,000 for streetscape upgrades and capital improvements in the City of Malden  

• $50,000 for Action for Boston Community Development’s Mobile Homeless Outreach Team 

• $50,000 for Housing Families to support the homeless children program in Malden 

“In a tight budget year marked by federal uncertainty, I'm proud to have worked with Leader Donato and Chair Lipper-Garabedian to secure $600,000 in local earmarks for Malden,” said State Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “Supporting everything from youth career development to local infrastructure, these investments will make a real difference for Malden residents. I sincerely thank Speaker Ron Mariano and House Ways and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz for their leadership throughout the budget process.” 

“I would like to thank Speaker Ron Mariano as well as Chair Aaron Michlewitz of Ways and Means for all of their hard work on the FY27 budget,” said State Representative Paul Donato (D-Medford). “I am very proud of the efforts of the Malden Delegation to advocate for these allocations for our constituency. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with local leaders to support the community.” 

“The House FY27 budget is a powerful statement of our values as a Commonwealth, prioritizing critical statewide funding for our cities and towns, public education system, mass transit, and housing to make Massachusetts more affordable and support our residents and their families. The House’s investments in reproductive health care access and legal aid for our immigrant neighbors are among the many examples in which we also reject the Trump Administration’s unparalleled actions to undermine our civil rights, civil liberties, and safety,” said State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D-Melrose). “With the headwinds from DC, including the looming loss of billions of dollars in federal support for public health programs, this has been a challenging year to prepare a budget. Given this, I’m particularly proud to have secured nearly $1 million in earmark funding for the three 32nd Middlesex municipalities and local community partners with Representatives Ultrino and Donato. For Malden, this earmark funding will support streetscape upgrades and capital improvements, as well as flood mitigation efforts. It will also support community partners such as ABCD and Housing Families.” 

As a result of responsible fiscal management, the House’s FY27 budget is balanced, and makes significant investments across several issue areas, without needing to include new taxes or tax increases. The House budget also includes $2.7 billion in investments for transportation and education initiatives made possible because funding generated by the Fair Share ballot initiative that voters approved in November of 2022, which established a surtax of 4 percent on annual income above $1 million, including:    

• $365 million for Child Care Grants to Providers 

• $198 million for Universal School Meals 

• $127 million for Free Community College 

• $85 million for Financial Aid Expansion 

• $470 million for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) 

• $220 million for the Mass Transportation Trust Fund 

• $40 Million for the MBTA Academy which supports workforce training and recruiting 

Other key highlights included in the FY27 budget were:   

• $10 million for school districts that have experienced unexpected enrollment reductions in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students 

• $623.6 million for child-care for low-income families 

• $475 million for Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grants 

• $176.7 million for scholarship funding 

• $60 million for the Emergency Food Assistance Program 

• $20 million for the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) 

• $679.7 million for Adult Mental Health Supports 

• $136.7 million for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services 

• $281.3 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) 

• $210 million for the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program 

• $17.4 million for Summer Jobs for At-Risk Youth 

• $20.4 million for DTA Employment and Training Services 

• $63.4 million for the Clean Water Trust 

• $52 million for Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp. to provide legal services to the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable populations 

• $7 million for the Immigration Legal Assistance Fund for non-violent offenders 

The FY27 budget proposal (H. 5500) was introduced by Speaker Mariano and the House Committee on Ways & Means on April 15, 2026, following a review of the Governor’s proposal and a series of public hearings. The budget passed the House of Representatives 149-9 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.  

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MASSACHUSETTS LEADING MANUFACTURERS HONORED BY LEGISLATORS AT 10TH ANNUAL MANUFACTURING AWARDS CEREMONY AT GILLETTE STADIUM

MASSACHUSETTS LEADING MANUFACTURERS HONORED BY LEGISLATORS AT 10TH ANNUAL MANUFACTURING AWARDS CEREMONY AT GILLETTE STADIUM  

FOXBOROUGH, MA – State Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden) is honored to announce that Malden’s Alsym Energy is a 2025 recipient of the "Manufacturer of the Year” Award presented by the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus. This award is given in recognition of outstanding leadership skills in the manufacturing industry. The company was presented with this award at the 10th Annual Manufacturing Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, October 21st at the Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA in recognition of its efforts in developing a breakthrough American-made battery that is high-performance and inherently non-flammable.  

“I am proud to nominate Alsym Energy for the "Manufacturer of the Year” Award,” said State Representative Steve Ultrino (D–Malden). “Alsym Energy represents the very best of innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement here in Massachusetts. Their commitment to developing safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly battery technology not only supports our clean energy goals but also strengthens our local economy by creating good jobs right here in Malden. I congratulate Alsym Energy for this well-deserved recognition and thank them for their continued leadership in driving Massachusetts’ manufacturing industry forward.” 

Each year, the Massachusetts Legislative Manufacturing Caucus hosts the Manufacturing Awards Ceremony to highlight many of the Commonwealth’s most noteworthy manufacturers and celebrate their successes as leading manufacturers in the industry. This recognition is reserved for Commonwealth manufacturers that exemplify what it means to “make it in Massachusetts” and propel their industry towards continued growth and innovation. This year, over 65 diverse manufacturers were selected by legislators from across the Commonwealth to be recognized at the awards ceremony. 

Formed in August 2014, the Manufacturing Caucus includes more than 60 legislators from around the Commonwealth. Lawmakers focus on training for manufacturing employees, encouraging innovation by helping start-ups access resources, and expanding apprenticeship opportunities in key manufacturing sectors. The Caucus is chaired by Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin) and Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough). 

The Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up, where the awards were hosted, is a conference run by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing to kick off October’s manufacturing month. The Mash-Up is an opportunity for partners and industry to come together to help accelerate advanced manufacturing and celebrate all our successes here in the Commonwealth. The event offers numerous opportunities to meet new businesses or partners, find the resources to help our manufacturers succeed, and gain the knowledge to join the advanced manufacturing world in which we now operate. 

“Our state is a hub of manufacturing and innovation,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. “From materials manufacturers that ship products globally, to nurseries that bring beauty to homes and businesses, to breweries and distilleries — these are products made with unmatched skill and pride here in Massachusetts. Congratulations to each of the awardees, and my deep thanks to Senator Paul Feeney for his leadership of the Manufacturing Caucus, to Representative Roy, and to all the members who raise their voices on behalf of our manufacturers every day.” 

"From groundbreaking work in the life sciences industry, to unparalleled innovation in the production of renewable energy, to the development of game changing technology across so many sectors of our economy, Massachusetts has a manufacturing industry to be incredibly proud of," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). "I want to thank Representative Roy, Senator Feeney, and the entire manufacturing caucus, as well as partners like MassTech Collaborative and MassMEP for the work that they continue to do to ensure that the manufacturing industry in Massachusetts can continue to grow and succeed." 

“Massachusetts manufacturers are central to our economic strength, our competitiveness and our identity as a state that builds what’s next. The companies recognized today demonstrate the strength of Team Massachusetts and how investments in innovation, skilled workers and strong regional partnerships continue to drive growth in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley.   

“It was an honor to recognize the manufacturers nominated today for their outstanding contributions to the Commonwealth and for exemplifying what it means to ‘make it in Massachusetts.’ Each company recognized at this event is a testament to why Massachusetts has cemented itself as a destination for highly-skilled, transformational manufacturing partners that make cutting-edge advancements, challenge convention and shape our future. Chair Roy and I offer our heartfelt thanks to the manufacturers in attendance, their talented workforces, the legislators who nominated businesses in their districts and continue to be their voice on Beacon Hill, and all Massachusetts manufacturers who continue to transform what’s possible,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. 

“I was proud to join my colleagues in recognizing 69 Massachusetts Manufacturers for their outstanding contributions to our Commonwealth’s economy. Their innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication to job creation, strengthens our communities, and ensures that Massachusetts remains a leader in advanced manufacturing,” said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Legislature’s Manufacturing Caucus. “All of these companies, like my nominee Dale Medical, exemplify what it means to make it in Massachusetts.” 

“Massachusetts manufacturers continue to demonstrate why this sector is so vital to our state’s technology and innovation economy,” said CAM Director Lily Fitzgerald. “The Manufacturing Awards Ceremony at our annual Massachusetts Manufacturing Mash-Up recognizes the people and companies creating good jobs, breaking new ground, and strengthening supply chains to keep our ecosystem resilient and innovative.” 

“Congratulations to this year’s Manufacturing Award winners. Your innovation, resilience, and commitment to excellence embody the very best of manufacturing in the Commonwealth. Manufacturing remains the backbone of our economy, creating good jobs, driving technological advancement, and strengthening our communities. At MassMEP, we are proud to support and serve Massachusetts manufacturers, helping them grow, compete, and prosper for years to come,” said Kathie Mahoney, President, MassMEP 

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