Gov. Patrick Signs 2011 Mass. State Budget

Gov. Deval Patrick has vetoed $457.6 million in spending included in the budget for the state's new fiscal year.

The Democrat did so Wednesday as he signed the $27.6 billion budget into law during a ceremony in his State House office.

"We've cut many worthy programs and services, cut jobs, cut or frozen wages," Patrick said. "We've negotiated concessions with the state employee unions. We've squeezed deficiencies out of every corner of government."

Dwindling tax collections, a curtailment in federal stimulus money and the failure to receive nearly $700 million in anticipated Medicaid money have prompted a 4 percent cut in aid payments to cities and towns. Patrick says if Congress outlines the Medicaid money, he will start by restoring some funding that was cut for education.

"The pain is widespread and will require state agencies, cities and towns, nonprofits and working-class families across the state to do more with less," Patrick said.

Patrick says the budget is the fourth balanced one of his term, but it is predicated on a $300 million debt-restructuring the Legislature still has to pass.

While that leaves the budget out of balance, the governor says he expects lawmakers to approve the loan rearrangements.

The budget is for the 2011 fiscal year that begins Thursday.