The Massachusetts Senate last week approved a $32.4 billion FY2013 budget. The final vote followed consideration of 694 amendments that covered myriad issues impacting several industries, including health care, energy and environment, transportation, education, and economic development.

In addition to its general spending proposals, the Senate adopted numerous amendments that set its budget apart from the House’s plan, which passed in late April, as well as the Governor’s. A six-member conference committee will soon be appointed to try to reach agreement on a final budget by the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. For more information about the budget proposals and budget process, see our previous MLS Alert on the subject.