Gov. Deval Patrick is set to put his signature on a $36.5 billion state budget that calls for increased spending on child welfare and substance abuse prevention.
Patrick on Friday is also expected to announce a limited number of line-item vetoes. He praised lawmakers for supporting many of the administration's priorities in the spending plan for the fiscal year that started July 1.
The budget includes an additional $50 million to help reduce the caseload for social workers at the Department and Children and Families, and $18 million to address the state's growing opioid abuse problem.
The budget factors in about $73 million in projected casino licensing and slot parlor revenues despite a November ballot question that seeks repeal of the state's 2011 casino gambling law.
