Massachusetts House Panel to Unveil Proposed Budget Plan

Massachusetts House leaders are preparing to unveil their version of the state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. 

WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...

The House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to detail the plan Wednesday at the Statehouse.

Governor Deval Patrick proposed his version of the $32.3 billion budget in January.

Patrick's plan would raise state spending by less than 3 percent while cutting about 400 jobs in the executive branch.

Patrick's budget also called for about $260 million in new revenues, including a 50 cents-per-pack hike in the cigarette tax. House Speaker Robert DeLeo has indicated he's opposed to new taxes.

The Massachusetts House is traditionally second in the budget line with the Senate taking the final crack at the spending plan.

The House is scheduled to debate the budget later in the month.

Tristan O'Neill, WAMC News.

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