Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has unveiled his state budget for the 2012 fiscal year, one that would further dip into the so-called rainy day fund to help close a projected $1.5 billion spending gap.
The budget proposal unveiled by the governor on Wednesday totals $30.5 billion. It calls for various program cuts and would reduce the state work force by as many as 900 jobs.
The state is still trying to recover from the effects of the recession and is also facing the end of key federal stimulus funds.
Patrick's spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 calls for withdrawing $200 million from the rainy day fund, leaving $569 million in cash reserves.
The governor has already told cities and towns to brace for a $65 million cut in unrestricted aid.
The House and Senate Ways and Means committees will draft their own versions of the budget, and a conference committee will reconcile the proposals and present a budget to the governor in time for the July 1 start of the fiscal year.
Haverhill state Rep. Steven Baddour is vice chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
