Mass. Lawmakers To Restore $40M In Budget Vetoes

Massachusetts lawmakers are poised to override about $40 million of the $147 million in budget vetoes issued by Gov. Deval Patrick.

House leaders said restoring any more could put the budget out of balance.

The votes would restore money cut from a range of programs including GPS tracking of criminal offenders, emergency food assistance, caring for seniors in nursing homes, and regional libraries.

Lawmakers are also planning to restore about $2.5 million for the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham.

By restoring only $40 million, the proposal sustains over two-thirds of Patrick's vetoes.

Lawmakers are also planning to approve $40 million for health care for the state's 30,000 legal immigrants.