State panel drastically cuts from governor's budget
The House budget committee on Tuesday released a $144 million midyear spending bill that will get a vote on Wednesday to shore up underfunded programs and agencies but Democratic leaders left many of Gov. Charlie Baker's spending requests out of the redrafted bill.
House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey began polling committee members on the supplemental budget as the House prepares to consider the spending bill Wednesday in the first significant session since lawmakers overrode the governor's veto of legislative pay raises on Feb. 2.
Baker last month requested $259 million in midyear spending, but at this point it appears House leaders are prepared to move forward with just over half of that total. Among the differences, the Ways and Means bill omits a $20 million request for snow and ice removal funds and allocates $26.9 million for indigent defense counsel compared to Baker's $62 million request, and $28 million for deficiencies in sheriffs' budgets after Baker requested $49 million.
Both bills include almost $21 million for emergency shelter services, and $300,000 to continue this fiscal year with preliminary work to implement the new legal marijuana law while the Legislature debates changes to the marijuana market's oversight and regulatory structure.
Committee members have until 10 a.m. to vote on the redraft with House Democrats planning to caucus at 2 p.m Wednesday and begin debating and voting on the bill at 3 p.m. The Senate also plans a formal session for Wendesday beginning at 1 p.m. when it could also take up the budget bill after the House acts. Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Karen Spilka is expected to brief Senate Democrats on the bill during a noon caucus.
The House bill also includes $10.8 million for the Department of Development Services, $14 million for the Department of Correction, $8 million for executive branch collective bargaining agreements and $3 million for the State Police.
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