In This Issue:
Governor’s Budget Proposal; House Budget Proposal; Senate Budget Proposal; Conference Committee Budget; and Vetoes.
Excerpt from Governor’s Budget Proposal
The first official step in the budget process is the release of the Governor’s budget, which he must propose within three weeks after the Legislature convenes. Governor Patrick filed his FY2013 budget with the House of Representatives on January 25, 2012.
The Governor’s $32.3 billion budget proposal is a 2.98% increase over the current year and calls for new tax revenues from several sources. Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez defended the $260 million in tax revenue increases in a House Ways & Means hearing on February 17, saying they were necessary to reduce the current $1.3 billion gap between revenue and spending. The proposal requests a $0.50 hike on the cigarette excise and corresponding tax increases on other tobacco products, a $25,000 annual tax on roll-your-own tobacco machines, the end of a sales tax waiver on candy and soda, and an expansion of the bottle bill to include bottled water, juices, coffee, and sports drinks. In years past, the Legislature has rejected Patrick’s call for taxing candy and soda and expanding the bottle bill.
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