Mass. Gov. Seeks to Cut Another $1B

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is seeking legislative approval to cut spending outside of the executive branch following his announcement last week that the state’s deficit has reached $2.4 billion.

Patrick yesterday filed a bill that would allow his administration to decrease programs not included in executive branch agencies to close an additional $1 billion shortfall in the $28.2 billion fiscal 2009 budget. The measure would allow Patrick to slash agencies and programs beyond the executive branch, including the legislature, the judiciary, the state district attorney’s office, and municipal aid, among other areas.

In mid-October, Patrick announced he would implement $1.4 billion of expenditure reductions to close a budget gap of the same amount.

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