Amid an ongoing standoff between Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic leadership of the state House and Senate, the House released its annual budget, delivering the governor another blow.
Although Patrick wanted to launch sweeping transportation initiatives and education initiatives, these are not included in the House budget plan.
Instead, a House panel is recommending spending about $1 billion less than Patrick. The difference reflects the legislature’s earlier rejection of the Patrick’s proposed income tax hike.
The House budget plan emphasizes higher education. The budget would dedicate enough new revenue to the University of Massachusetts to stave off tuition and fee hikes for the next two years.
House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey said this is the most significant investment to higher education in years.
“We believe it is now finally the right time to commit resources to higher ed,” Dempsey said. “We believe it’s the future. It’s important for students here in the commonwealth, it’s important for the affordability issue.”
But the budget rejects one of Patrick’s top priorities an expansion in early education.
Patrick had asked the House to approve an additional $131 million for early education. But House leaders rejected the request and are instead questioning whether the agency, which runs early education and is overseen by the governor’s office, mishandles the money it already has.
Meanwhile Patrick and house and senate leadership remain locked in a tense battle over tax increases to fund transportation.
Patrick and House and Senate leaders must agree on a new budget by July 1. The transportation fight moves to the Senate in the next few days.
