The Massachusetts House has restored nearly $17.6 million in grants for expansion of kindergarten programs that were vetoed from the state budget by Gov. Charlie Baker.
The 155-0 override vote on Wednesday was the first of dozens expected to be taken by the Democratic-controlled Legislature on line-item vetoes the Republican governor announced when he signed the $38.1 billion spending plan earlier this month.
The House also voted 139-16 to restore $5 million cut by Baker from the $526 million in state funding provided to the University of Massachusetts system.
House leaders said earlier in the day that they hoped to restore $97 million of the $162 million in spending cut by Baker. Override votes are also needed in the Senate.
The kindergarten grants aim to expand full-day kindergarten programs, with preference given to low-income communities.
