Budget Panel To Unveil Mass. Spending Plan

The state budget process takes a major step forward this week when the House Ways and Means Committee takes the wraps off its version of the spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Gov. Deval Patrick proposed a $32.3 billion budget in January that would raise total state spending by less than 3 percent while cutting about 400 jobs in the executive branch.

The governor also called for centralizing management of the state's community colleges.

Patrick's budget called for about $260 million in new revenues, including a 50 cents-per-pack hike in the cigarette tax. But House Speaker Robert DeLeo has indicated he is opposed to any new taxes.

The Ways and Means panel is scheduled to unveil its budget on Wednesday, with full House debate scheduled later in the month.