A Review of a Busy Override Season, and the Story Behind the Numbers

This spring, 54 Massachusetts communities put Proposition 2 1⁄2 override questions before voters, making FY27 one of the most active years in history. But what do the numbers actually tell us? In this episode, the MMA’s Adam Chapdelaine and John Ouellette dig into the data behind this year's override results, including why the number of questions has spiked recently, what communities are facing when costs outpace revenue growth, and how the results relate to the MMA's “Perfect Storm” report. They explore the difficult choices local leaders face; the role of transparency and communication in override campaigns; what happens when voters say no; and why school and public safety measures tend to perform better with voters. The bottom line: the “Perfect Storm” challenges remain as urgent as ever. For Further Reading: The Perfect Storm: https://www.mma.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/MMA-APerfectStorm-HistoricFiscalPressures-report-10.9.25.pdf MMA webinar: Cultivating Transparency After a “Yes” Vote https://www.mma.org/resource/cultivating-transparency-after-a-yes-vote/ MMA webinar: Managing Your Budget Without an Override https://www.mma.org/mma-offers-two-part-webinar-series-on-overrides-budget-challenges/ More on UGGA funding: https://www.mma.org/gov-healey-signs-fy27-state-budget-with-40m-ugga-increase/ To learn more about the MMA: www.mma.org