Progress Made On Beacon Hill Budget Stalemate

Some progress on Beacon Hill on Monday afternoon, concerning several differences on unresolved matters between Gov. Deval Patrick and legislative leaders.

The governor emerged from a meeting with House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray, and said they have a plan for working through the budget issue, an education bill and a crime bill.

The governor had wanted lawmakers to return to formal sessions before the end of the year to deal with the matters, including the closing of an estimated $115 million budget shortfall.

The governor said the House will work on the bills in caucus during the month of December and take up the matters after the first of the year.

"When I say we have a plan, I mean we're going to be moving forward in the Legislature," Patrick said, "and I believe the speaker when he says he's committed to getting the bills passed."

The governor said he is still developing a plan for cuts to human service programs, but is hoping he won't have to implement those cuts.