Patrick Signs Budget, Vetoes Transportation, Local Aid Funds

By Jake O'Donnell

Gov. Deval Patrick acted on the budget recently passed by the Legislature, signing the $33.6 billion fiscal year 2014 budget into law but also issuing vetoes of $240 million in transportation funding and $177 billion in local aid, according to the Boston Globe.

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have vowed to override the vetoes in votes this week, the Globe reported.

Patrick said he vetoed those spending measures because the Legislature had not yet approved new taxes he believes are needed to balance the budget. 

The Globe reported Patrick's cut to local aid would revert its funding back to 1986 levels while the transportation cut would include a loss of $115 million in MBTA funding.

Patrick's decision comes as his relationship with Beacon Hill leaders has reportedly become icy over a bigger transportation amendment that would hike taxes.