Massachusetts House and Senate lawmakers gave final approval Monday to the state budget including more funding for the University of Massachusetts system and new measures to crack down on welfare fraud.
The $34 billion budget calls for taxes to go up, but not as much as Gov. Deval Patrick had proposed .
House Speaker Robert DeLeo says the House-Senate plan is more palatable.
"I think this is much more manageable," DeLeo said. "I think this was done with taking in mind the middle class and small businesses as well. I think we're at a better place."
The legislature’s plan relies on $500 million in new taxes, including increases in taxes on gas, cigarettes and software design services. Patrick wanted $1.9 billion dollars in new taxes to pay for major new spending on transportation and education.
House Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey says the House/Senate budget still restores funding to a number of crucial programs.
“If you look at what we’re doing at human services, increased funding for substance abuse, increased funding for some of our seniors, it’s significant," Dempsey said.
Lawmakers agreed to significantly higher spending on the state’s university system, avoiding the need for tuition and fee hikes for the upcoming academic year. And they approved a $30,000 pay raise for Massachusetts judges.
The budget includes new efforts to tamp down on welfare fraud. It would create a bureau of program integrity within the state welfare department.
And lawmakers passed a measure to put photo IDs on electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards as part of a separate spending bill. Critics of the EBT cards, which work much like bank-issued debit cards, say they frequently fall into the hands of unauthorized people.
DeLeo says lawmakers wanted to make some immediate changes to the welfare system and they plan to make more sweeping changes in the fall.
“It’s never been my position to hurt poor people," DeLeo said. "That’s not what this is about. What this is about is to stamp out fraud and abuse.”
The budget now goes to the governor’s desk. Patrick has not indicated yet whether he will sign it or return it with changes.
