BUDGETS

Congestion pricing is one of the measures Mass. state senators might consider imposing to discourage drivers from commuting at already-crowded peak times.

Massachusetts Senators spend this next week combing through amendments to their $55.8 billion annual budget, which will hit the floor for debate on May 23.

As lawmakers on Beacon Hill continue their budget planning, we finally get a look at the state Senate's proposal.

Following unanimous passage by Mass. House lawmakers last week, the state budget process moves to the state Senate. Lawmakers are working toward a final plan to send to the governor for her signature. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Steve Kerrigan was elected chair of the state Democratic party by a unanimous vote by committee members this week. He succeeds Gus Bickford, who has led since 2016.

Massachusetts House lawmakers piled about $700 million onto Gov. Maura Healey's budget, and this week the House Ways and Means Committee's $56.2 billion fiscal 2024 budget is the focus. The extra funding authorizes online lottery sales to fund child care investments, different local aid levels and more programs.

As Massachusetts lawmakers continue to work on crafting budget legislation, a recent poll shows affordability is top of mind. The majority of Massachusetts voters polled indicated that they would like to see taxes go down.

Massachusetts Republicans call the indictment politically motivated. Meanwhile the state's Democratic lawmakers in the House are putting the finishing touches on a tax proposal expected to be released soon.

Spring in Massachusetts can mean many things — longer days, warmer weather, flowers in bloom. It also means budget season for communities across the state.

Massachusetts lawmakers agreed to a compromise spending bill featuring $388 million in spending directed at what the Senate's budget chief called "time-sensitive, urgent" needs along with $740 million in borrowing plans.