Lawmakers to Open Debate on Nearly $40B State Budget

BOSTON (AP) — House lawmakers are gearing up for what could be a marathon debate over Massachusetts’ nearly $40 billion budget.

Debate on the spending plan crafted by the House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to begin on Monday. The state’s new fiscal year begins July 1.

More than 1,300 amendments have been proposed, though many are likely to be consolidated or withdrawn.

The House budget would hold overall state spending to about 3 percent above current year levels, even while state revenues are forecast to climb more than 4 percent in the next fiscal year. There are no new taxes.

The plan would provide public school districts with $33 million more than proposed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, but many other agencies or programs would get the same or less funding.