MassBudget PolicyTALKS

Massachusetts is facing hundreds of millions in federal funding cuts as it builds a state budget that invests in crucial programs and services to support and ensure a thriving Commonwealth for all. 

Join MassBudget’s PolicyTALKS for a conversation about how federal government funding cuts will impact Massachusetts and the proposed FY 2027 state budget, including revenue projections, new tax proposals, and key state spending priorities.

Event Details

📅 Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

📍 Location: Zoom (link sent with registration confirmation)

Why Attend?

• Join this space where we bring together experts on progressive policies to discuss proposed solutions and how to improve, implement, and/or propose new ones. 

• Understand how Massachusetts' state budget is affected by ongoing federal funding cuts at the beginning of the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget process.

MassBudget is a trusted voice for rigorous research and deep and critical public policy analysis. MassBudget specifically focuses on understanding the state budget through an equity lens.

Through our PolicyTALKS, we will provide a platform for informed dialogue and practical policy recommendations that lead to a racially and economically just Commonwealth.

Thank you to our sponsor!

Representative Adrian Madaro
Adrian C. Madaro is the Massachusetts State Representative for the 1st Suffolk District, which comprises the neighborhood of East Boston. As a lifelong East Boston resident and the son of an immigrant, he has focused on advancing environmental justice, protecting and increasing access to green and open space, increasing access to affordable housing, making Massachusetts fairer and more inclusive, and improving our public transit and infrastructure. The previous Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Rep. Madaro was appointed this session to lead the Joint Committee on Revenue. He lives in Eagle Hill with his wife Ariel and their two sons, Matteo and Nico.

Viviana Abreu-Hernández, PhD
Viviana M. Abreu-Hernández, PhD is the President of Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center. She has a deep appreciation for the state as the structure that will support needed social change. Originally from Quebradillas in northwestern Puerto Rico, Viviana ventured from her small town to attend University of Puerto Rico San Juan, and then went on to Purdue University. From her experiences came a deep understanding of social injustice and the need for purposeful interventions to transform oppressive structures. Through her work, she has always been devoted to building a more just society, in which everyone has the same opportunities. Always a nerd, Viviana is a researcher, scientist, advocate, and teacher.  

Leran Minc
Leran is the Director of Public Policy at Project Bread. In this role, he leads the policy research and strategy for the organization on both the state and federal level. In 2023, he co-led the Feed Kids Coalition to passing permanent School Meals for All in Massachusetts. Before joining the policy team in 2017, Leran was part of Project Bread’s Child Nutrition Outreach Program providing technical assistance to school nutrition directors and summer meal sponsors in Eastern Massachusetts. He has a Masters in International Development from American University and was previously involved with anti-genocide advocacy. 

Jamie Willmuth
Jamie is the Senior Policy Analyst for the Massachusetts Division of 1199 SEIU. With over 450,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida and Washington, D.C., 1199SEIU is the largest healthcare union in the nation. Since January 2008, Jamie has led on policy creation and development of the union’s legislative/state budget agenda related to health care reform, provider reimbursement and other areas of importance to the 1199SEIU membership.  He works closely with both the union's research and political departments providing research, lobbying, legislative drafting and other support to the union's new organizing campaigns, contract bargaining, and political advocacy.

Jessica Troe
Jessica is the Deputy Director of Research and Policy Analysis, providing support and guidance to policy staff in carrying out MassBudget’s research and policy priorities. She also leads the analysis of the state budget, Fair Share Amendment implementation, and cannabis revenue. Prior to joining MassBudget, Jessica worked at a variety of research organizations to advance equity in public policy. Most recently, she authored the First Focus on Children’s signature research publication, the Children’s Budget Book, to advocate for equity for children in the federal budget. Previously, at J-PAL North America she worked with state and local governments to design and implement randomized evaluations to alleviate poverty and on child care affordability at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Center for American Progress.