Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Legislature overrides Baker’s UMass budget cut

(Scutter/Flickr)
(Scutter/Flickr)

Nearly two weeks after Governor Charlie Baker cut the legislature’s proposed budget by $162 million, the House and Senate are overriding some of his cuts – including $5.25 million for the UMass system.

At the beginning of July, the legislature proposed a $38 billion budget for the 2016 fiscal year, including nearly $532 million for UMass. When Baker signed the bill, however, he cut UMass’ budget to $526.5 million, which the legislature overrode on Wednesday.

New UMass President Marty Meehan had been lobbying representatives for the override since the budget was signed.

“The University of Massachusetts is most appreciative of the efforts of both the Speaker and the Senate President,” Meehan said in an email to the Board of Trustees. “This is a great day for the University of Massachusetts and we will make sure to extend our appreciation and gratitude.”

The override passed 139-16 in the House, and 38-0 in the Senate.

Senate President Stan Rosenberg indicated shortly after Baker signed the budget that an override was likely.

“We have serious concerns about many of the governor’s vetoes, particularly related to education, where he has cut programs ranging from early childhood to colleges and universities,” Rosenberg said in a statement. “Given the increasing importance of education in closing the income gap and giving kids a decent chance in a highly competitive economy, cuts to these programs are short-sighted at best.”

Patrick Hoff can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @Hoff_Patrick16.

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