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Summary Of Budget Actions Proposed By Gov. Patrick
The following is a summary of spending cuts, transfers and other measures Gov. Deval Patrick proposed on Tuesday to close a projected $540 million state budget gap:
- $225 million in spending cuts spread across executive branch agencies and programs. More than 700 new positions in state government would go unfilled. Since these cuts will also result in some reductions in federal reimbursements, the net budgetary savings from these cuts would be $157 million. Legislative approval not required.
- $200 million transfer from the "rainy day" fund. Legislative approval required.
- $25 million from a 1 percent cut in the budgets for the judiciary and other constitutional offices (attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor). Legislative approval required.
- $9 million from 1 percent cut in unrestricted local aid to cities and towns. Legislative approval required.
- $98 million in additional federal revenues for safety net programs for low-income residents. Legislative approval not required.
- $20 million in savings in state borrowing and from health care reform. Legislative approval not required.
- $20 million reduction in sales tax revenue that is normally transferred to Massachusetts School Building Authority. Legislative approval not required.
- $11 million from reserve fund surpluses. Legislative approval not required.
Source: Gov. Deval Patrick's office, Executive Office for Administration and Finance.
This program aired on December 4, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.