The Massachusetts Senate is set to begin debate on a $39.5 billion state budget plan that increases spending on local schools and public higher education.
Debate starts Tuesday on the proposed spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1. It relies on no new taxes or fees and has a bottom line lower than budget plans approved by the House and proposed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
The plan represents a 2.9 percent increase in spending over the current fiscal year.
The budget proposal includes more rental vouchers for homeless families, money to combat elder abuse, an increase in spending to fight opioid addiction and a bump in the annual clothing allowance for homeless children.
Some of the biggest spending increases in the Senate budget are focused on education.
