State budget raises education spending, doesn't raise taxes

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Governor Deval Patrick has signed a new state budget, after taking the maximum 10 full days to review spending for the next fiscal year.

The budget totals $32.5 billion, and includes a 4.5% increase in public school funding from last year. In fact, it provides for the most money that the Commonwealth has ever spent on education.

Another highlight of the FY2013 Budget is the $20 million that the Governor set aside to make the state's sales tax holiday a reality.

Patrick also used his line-item veto power to ax salary increases for human services workers and to pull money from the probation department.

Under the budget, nobody in Massachusetts will see any new taxes, but it does call for taking $350 million from the state's so-called “rainy day fund.”

Additional items that the Governor struck down included reforms to the state’s EBT system that would have banned the purchasing of items and services like manicures, adult entertainment, and firearms. Patrick instead sent it back to the Legislature asking that they instead ban the use of EBT cards at specific types of establishments, like gun shops and strip clubs. Patrick, however, wants to continue to allow the cards at jewelry stores and nail salons.

He also struck down a provision that would have made it more difficult for illegal immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses.