MA House Passes $46B Budget With Expanded Abortion Access

MASSACHUSETTS — Members of the state House of Representatives capped off two days of abbreviated debate by approving a $46 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that started July 1.

The budget passed just before midnight Thursday has 777 amendments, including one that makes abortion a right under state law. The amendment eliminates a requirement for women under 18 to receive permission from a parent or judge to get an abortion. It also allows abortions after 24 weeks in cases of fatal fetal anomalies. Under current state law, abortion after 24 weeks is only allowed when it is necessary to save the woman's life.

The abortion amendment was the only portion of the budget lawmakers debated Thursday before passing the budget 143-14, the Boston Herald reported.

In a normal year, the budget would have been passed before the fiscal year started July 1. The coronavirus pandemic forced lawmakers to pass temporary budgets as they waited for revenue projections for the spending blueprint. State tax revenues are now expected to drop $3.6 billion as a result of the pandemic.

The budget approved Thursday calls for no new taxes.

Several amendments failed, including one that would have extended the eviction moratorium for a year after the coronavirus state of emergency is lifted and one that would have required Gov. Charlie Baker to choose a Democrat to replace Sen. Elizabeth Warren if she accepts a Cabinet position in the Biden administration.

The state Senate begins deliberating its version of the same budget Nov. 17. Lawmakers are working to have the final budget sent to Baker by the end of the month.