State lawmakers have entered their final negotiations to pin down how to spend nearly $40 billion in the coming state budget.
Six people—two members of House leadership and two from the Senate—will join a Republican from both branches to reconcile each chamber’s versions of the budget.
Both the House and Senate want to increase local aid and funds for schools, but they disagree on things like how much to put back into the state’s rainy day fund.
House Budget chairman Brian Dempsey met with his Senate counterpart this morning.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Dempsey said. “We’re at a critical point with respect to not only the current fiscal year but in looking at our decisions and how that will impact fiscal year '17.”
Once the Legislature settles on a final spending plan, it’ll be Gov. Charlie Baker’s turn to veto earmarks he doesn’t like. Democrats in the legislature will almost certainly have the necessary votes override his vetoes and put that spending back in the budget.
