BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate is debating hundreds of proposed amendments to a $41.4 billion state budget.
Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairwoman Karen Spilka says the spending plan takes a “cautiously optimistic approach” to the state’s improving financial picture.
The Ashland Democrat opened what was expected to be several days of budget discussion on Tuesday by noting that tax collections in the current fiscal year have been running well above forecasts.
Senators unanimously approved an amendment that calls for replenishing a fund that pays for police training with revenues from marijuana taxes and a new $2 surcharge on car rentals.
The Senate also voted 24-14 to reject a Republican-backed amendment to designate an August sales tax holiday. That vote does not, however, rule out completely the possibility of a tax holiday this year.
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