A day after the Massachusetts House approved a bill to close a projected $768 million state budget shortfall, the Massachusetts Senate quickly followed suit. The Senate passed the measure on a voice vote Thursday.The proposal closely mirrors the plan offered by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
In one change, the House and Senate eliminated the governor’s proposal that lawmakers said would have given the administration more power to restructure benefits for some Medicaid recipients.
The plan includes a $40 million cut in state transportation spending, of which $14 million would come from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Officials said the cut isn't expected to affect service.
The governor and legislative leaders had ruled out new taxes and local aid cuts to bridge the budget gap.
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