Governor Patrick Set To Sign New Mass. Budget
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick and top aides are close to finishing their review of a $32.5 billion state budget to fund government operations for the fiscal year that started July 1.
Patrick scheduled a news conference for Sunday in his office to sign the spending plan and announce any line-item vetoes. The governor can also send provisions back to the Legislature with suggested amendments.
House and Senate negotiators agreed last week on a final version of the budget after resolving differences between the spending plans approved earlier by both branches. The budget calls for no new taxes but seeks a one-time $350 million withdrawal from the state's reserve account, commonly known as the rainy-day fund.
The state has been operating on an interim budget since last Sunday.
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