October 15, 2026 By Carol Britton Meyer
Senator Patrick O’Connor and Rep. Joan Meschino paid a visit to the select board recently as part of their periodic legislative updates, sharing a Fiscal 2027 state budget recap ($63.4 billion) and how Hingham fits in, various highlights, and information about constituent services — a priority for both legislators.
They both expressed concerns about pending legislation related to housing as of right that O’Connor said is “stripping away local communities’ ability to [regulate development] — regulations that have been in effect for decades.”
During the presentation, he expressed support for creating some kind of starter home program in Massachusetts to benefit “military and college returnees” who are unable to afford to live where they grew up and are taking jobs outside of Massachusetts because they can’t afford to live on the South Shore. “We’re losing our future to other states right now,” he said.
Meschino is concerned that “there is nothing [out there] for young families and seniors wishing to downsize and no targeted effort [by the state] to ask what kind of affordable housing communities, including Hingham, need.”
She also noted that some communities don’t have enough water, sewer, and transportation resources to support the kinds of development for which the state is advocating.
“They’re making the permitting process moot, when our communities are doing a great job,” Meschino said, noting that “it’s very difficult to say no when these initiatives are attached to bills that include other legislation we might support.”
‘We Are Going to See Nothing but Luxury Units’
O’Connor also takes issue with the fact that under current and proposed housing initiatives — which are not targeted to create more affordable housing — “we are going to see nothing but luxury units or expensive apartments.”
He further noted that the recently passed MBTA Communities legislation that penalizes non-compliant communities who don’t agree to establish at least one district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right, in most cases within a half mile of MBTA transportation, “has no affordable component.”
Back to the financial picture, the FY27 state budget includes an increase in Chapter 70 per pupil funding; revival of the Foundation Budget Review Commission to examine the K-12 funding formula and assess how the state can address rising costs in special education, student transportation, personnel, and educator health care statewide; $11 million for assistance to local housing authorities; $655 million in Circuit Breaker (special education) funding (now at 75 percent); and $180 million in school meals funding.
On a more local level, $16.67 million was allocated in the Fiscal 2026 state budget to Hingham and local organizations, with $3.4 million going to both to date in FY27. The FY26 funding included $25,000 to support Rev250 celebrations in town.
‘The Legislature Is Watching What Municipalities Need’
“Our economy continues to remain solid, and the legislature is watching what municipalities need,” Meschino said.
O’Connor offered his view. “We need to do more with the healthy reserves we have and send more funds to local communities. We’re attempting to get more money from Beacon Hill to town hall to ensure they remain strong financially.”
Under the FY26 Fair Share Supplemental Budget — which provided $1.35 billion in education and transportation investments — a $100,000 earmark is directed to the Hingham Public Schools (“to use as they see fit,” O’Connor said); $296,344 for Hingham winter cleanup relief, including repairing roads, bridges, schools, and other critical infrastructure damaged by severe winter weather in early 2026; and $500,000 for Free. — an organization that supplies free menstruation products in Massachusetts public schools to those in need. This initiative was started by Hingham resident Kenzie Blackwell to ensure menstruators have access to period products “for free, period.”
O’Connor provided an update on other legislation of interest, including passage of an Act promoting pet equity, treatment, and safety and a new law facilitating better interactions between police officers and individuals with autism.
Drought Management Bill in the Works
Meschino noted that a drought management bill is currently before a conference committee, which would include private wells because the water “comes from the same aquifer.”
Both O’Connor and Meschino emphasized that they set priority on providing constituent services and hold local office hours. For further information, go to www.JoanMeschino.com or www.SenatorOConnor.com.