Earlier this year, ML Strategies offered an overview of the Governor’s FY 2015 budget proposal. Now that the House of Representatives has passed its version of the FY 2015 spending plan, we provide an update on the budget process and an overview of the budget timeline. ML Strategies will continue to issue periodic updates regarding the process and politics shaping this year’s budget.

House Budget Proposal -

It was close to midnight on April 30, 2014 when the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed its spending plan for FY 2015. Over the course of three days’ debate, the House dispensed with 1,175 proposed amendments, grouping them into consolidated amendments. The House tacked on $143.9 million to its initial $36.2 billion budget, adding $43.6 million in a major health and human services amendment, $16 million for education and local aid, $17.8 million in a labor and economic development amendment, and $18 million for social services and veterans.