6/29/09

Massachusetts

Governor Deval Patrick today signed a budget


… that cuts aid to cities and towns


 pares back programs throughout state government


 and imposes $1 billion in additional taxes


on Massachusetts residents, shoppers, and visitors


 


In signing the $27 billion budget


 which is $400 million less than the proposal


approved this month by House and Senate lawmakers


Patrick issued vetoes that cut funding in a number of areas


 


He said the budget “reflects the stark economic realities of the time.”


 


…thanks in part to $167 million in federal stimulus money…


Patrick's plan restores health care coverage for 30,000 legal immigrants


 and provides a record-high $4 billion in education funding


for cities and towns


 


 It also includes more than $1 billion in new taxes


 


His budget calls for nearly $150 million in line-item vetoes


eliminating or slashing programs that the Legislature approved


 


 In addition, it eliminates $217 million in funding for county sheriffs


according to an administration official briefed on the budget


 


…The budget includes more than $1 billion in tax increases


 which include new taxes on hotels, alcohol, meals, and satellite dishes


 


The new sales tax rate


which will increase from 5 percent to 6.25 percent


will go into effect Aug 1


 


Patrick signs state budget


Matt Viser


Boston Globe, June 29, 2009

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