We are now 11 days into the new fiscal year and the $34 billion
fiscal year 2014 budget is awaiting signature. With the deadline
set to expire tomorrow, Gov. Deval L. Patrick will have to sign the
bill, veto portions of it, or send parts or all of it back with
amendments. There is a interim appropriation in place that is
paying the state's bill for July.
The budget bill awaiting action relies on $500 million in new
taxes that are part of a yet unsigned transportation reform bill.
Patrick returned that bill with an amendment that would trigger a
possible gas tax hike in 2017.
Among the many items included in the budget awaiting action, is
the Massachusetts Bar Association supported judicial compensation
increase. The budget provides for a pay increase totaling $30,000
for the Massachusetts Judiciary that will be granted incrementally
beginning Jan. 1, 2014 with additional effective dates of July 1,
2014 and July 1, 2015.