BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House approved its version of the state budget Thursday for the 2022 fiscal year that begins July 1.
The proposed $47.7 billion spending plan responds to the needs of residents and makes investments that set the state on a path toward economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, Democratic House Speaker Ronald Mariano said.
He said the proposed budget also demonstrates the House’s commitment to cities and towns, and includes significant investments in education, supportive services for vulnerable populations, and workforce and economic development, among other priorities.
“This budget meets the needs of our residents who have endured an unprecedented level of health and economic challenges over the past year,” Mariano said in a written statement.
Over the course of the budget debate, the House adopted $66.1 million in new spending to their plan, according to the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation.
The budget debate now heads to the Massachusetts Senate.
(Copyright (c) 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)