The Massachusetts Senate has unveiled a proposed $30.5 billion state budget that lawmakers say protects the most vulnerable residents while still cutting spending, The Associated Press reports.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Stephen Brewer said Wednesday the budget plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1 spends slightly less than budget proposals from the Massachusetts House and Gov. Deval Patrick.
The Senate plan includes no new taxes and dips into the state’s one-time savings accounts for $440 million while closing an estimated $1.9 billion spending gap without the help of federal stimulus dollars.
Brewer said the Senate plan protects key services like adult day care, veteran’s services, domestic violence programs and early intervention programs for children who face developmental difficulties because of a disability.
Like the House and governor’s budgets, the Senate plan makes deep cuts to the state’s Medicaid program. It also cuts $65 million in state aid to cities and towns, while revamping the way municipalities provide health coverage to their public workers.
