Senate Releases $34 Billion Budget Proposal
The Massachusetts State Senate Ways & Means Committee released a budget proposal Wednesday just shy of $ 34 billion for fiscal year 2014 that falls short of several of Gov. Deval Patrick’s budget recommendations. According to the Boston Globe, the Senate $ 33.92 billion budget would increase spending by 4.4 percent as opposed to Patrick’s budget that hikes spending by 6.9 percent. The Senate budget is roughly in line in terms of spending with the proposed $ 33.8 billion House budget proposed last month. The Globe reported that the Senate budget increases spending for elderly services and special education but does not reach Patrick’s recommendations for expanding transportation and providing universal childcare access. Committee Chairman Sen. Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) told the Globe their differences with Patrick’s budget are “not in the direction, but in the extent.” In a statement Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) said the proposal clearly “rejects once again the massive tax and spend measures” from Patrick. Tarr was still critical of the proposal, saying it “relies on a combination of over $ 627 million from one-time revenue sources and $ 450 million in tax increases, and that’s on top of the millions of dollars in additional tax increases that have been approved in recent years, including a $ 900 million increase in the sales tax implemented in 2009.” Patrick and the Legislature have until July 1, when the new fiscal year begins, to hammer out their differences and approve a budget. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Brother of Injured MBTA Officer Releases Statement
The brother of Winchester native Richard “Dic” Donohue Jr., the MBTA Transit Police officer injured during a Thursday night shoot-out with the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, has released a statement, according to a Tufts Medical Center press statement. In the statement, Edward Donohue, a Winchester Police officer, said: “Dic still has a long road to go before we can safely say he has made it out of the woods. We are proud of his actions and extremely grateful for those courageous officers and EMTs on scene who braved gunfire and explosives to render critical care to Dic that has brought us to this point. The Mount Auburn Hospital doctors and nurses have performed extraordinarily well and their staff has been incredible. This week has been difficult for everyone and on behalf of the extended Donohue family, we would like to thank all of the citizens in the surrounding communities for cooperating with police efforts in the search for the suspects. We would also like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring justice to our country. Lastly, we keep in our prayers all those who have been affected by the tragedies this past week, especially Sean Collier, Dic’s friend and academy mate.” The statement was sent on behalf of the Donohue family by Tufts Medical Center. South End Patch
FBI Releases New Photos of Marathon Bombing Suspects
The FBI released new photos of the Boston Marathon bomber suspects in the early hours of Friday morning. The 2 a.m. posting included direct shots of the two suspects’ faces. The wee-hours release comes on the heels of Thursday afternoon’s press conference, when 11 images and a video segment of the suspects were released. South End Patch