Mass. House Members Approve $38 Billion Budget

BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts House has completed work on a $38 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

The spending plan was approved on a unanimous vote Wednesday after three days of debate. Republicans, who typically vote against the final budget, joined with the Democratic majority in supporting the package.

The House budget calls for no new taxes and would hike overall state spending by nearly 3 percent, an increase similar that proposed by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker in the budget he proposed in March.

Baker warned of a $1.8 billion structural gap between revenues and anticipated spending.

The House voted to approve several amendments that added to the bottom line after negotiations between members that played out largely behind closed doors.

The budget now moves to the Senate.