Hearings Begin On Massachusetts State Budget

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Massachusetts legislators begin a series of public hearings around the state Wednesday on Governor Patrick’s proposed $34.8 billion state budget. 

Each of the 8 hearings scheduled over the next three weeks focuses on a different area of the budget. State Rep. Stephen Kulik, House Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee said  its an opportunity to hear directly from top state officials about the budget proposals

The first hearing in Worcester Wednesday is on public safety. A hearing  February 26th at Greenfield Community College is about education and local aid.  Gov Patrick has proposed  large spending increases in education and transportation accompanied by a controversial overhaul of the state’s tax structure.