BOSTON (AP) — Debate on the state’s roughly $38 billion budget is shifting to the Senate.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee is scheduled on Tuesday to unveil its version of a spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1.
The House approved a $38 billion budget last month that held total spending increases to about 3 percent. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker has warned that based on current revenue projections, the state could face a $1.6 billion shortfall next year.
Baker and Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo have ruled out raising taxes. Senate President Stan Rosenberg has left open the possibility that senators could debate tax changes, but it’s not clear if any will be proposed.
House and Senate negotiators will need to reconcile differences between the two branches before the budget goes to Baker’s desk.
