Mass. Gov. Patrick Reduces State Budget Proposal

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is reducing his proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 by more than $608 million.

Patrick said (Letter PDF) he revised the spending plan because federal officials have yet to extend Federal Medical Assistance Percentages for Medicaid costs.

Patrick had assumed the extension when he released his version of the budget earlier this year.

The governor said he still believes the extension will be granted, pointing out that the U.S. House and Senate separately approved it and President Obama built the extension into his budget.

If that doesn't happen, Patrick is recommending the cut be spread across the state budget, except for local aid, school aid and state debt service.

He said that translates into about a 3.6 percent reduction in spending.