BOSTON (AP) — Lawmakers are moving to restore spending vetoed from the state budget by Gov. Charlie Baker, including funds for full-day kindergarten programs and for the University of Massachusetts system.
Baker used his line-item veto power to shave $162 million from the more than $38 billion budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, citing the need to maintain fiscal stability.
House leaders said Wednesday they hoped to override $97 million of the vetoes, targeting education and economic development among other areas.
The House voted 155-0 and the Senate 38-0 to restore nearly $17.6 million in grants to expand full-day kindergarten, with preference given to school districts in lower-income communities.
Both chambers also voted to restore $5 million cut by Baker from the original $531 million state funding appropriation for the University of Massachusetts.
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