The Massachusetts Senate has released a budget plan that increases spending 3 percent over last year — and there are only a few points of disagreement between the Senate budget and the one passed by the House last month.
The House spending plan includes an additional $7 million over last year to reduce the waiting list for children seeking state subsidies for early education. The Senate went further, with a $12 million bump over last year.
"We know that brain development is in the first four years," said Senate Ways and Means Chair Karen Spilka. "And that’s the key to success, not just in early education but in education throughout a person’s life.
The Senate proposal would also allow the University of Massachusetts to keep the tuition from in-state students instead of having it go first to the state's general fund. The House budget doesn’t include this plan.
Protesters rallied outside the State House in support of the state film industry tax credit, which was included in the bill, as well as in the House budget .
The Senate is scheduled for a floor debate on the budget next week.
