Patrick files legislation to close state budget gap

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick this month filed legislation to close an estimated $953 million shortfall for the remainder of fiscal 2009.
Patrick’s plan draws on federal stimulus aid, stabilization funds and other solutions, he said. The legislation comes on the heels of a $1 billion drop in April tax revenues compared to last April revenues, and after previous measures to close a more than $3 billion gap for fiscal 2009.
Patrick’s legislation proposes using $412 million of State Fiscal Stabilization Funds included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The proposal would allow for a draw of up to $461 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund and suspension of the $100 million deposit authorized in fiscal 2008. Patrick’s legislation also calls for a $15 million reduction to the Health Safety Net Trust Fund in order to meet projected deficiencies within the MassHealth program. &#8226