BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered spending cuts to close a shortfall in the state’s nearly $40 billion budget.
The Republican sent a letter to the Democratic-controlled Legislature on Tuesday saying he would use his administrative power to reduce discretionary spending in the fiscal year that runs through June 30 by a net of $98 million.
The decision drew a swift rebuke from House Speaker Robert DeLeo, who called the mid-year budget cuts “premature.”
The administration blames the budget shortfall on a combination of weaker than expected tax collections, unforeseen spending obligations and the Legislature’s decision to override $235 million in budget vetoes by the governor.
The largest cuts made by Baker are $7.6 million from the state’s travel and tourism office and $6.5 million from the Massachusetts State Police.
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