Mass. Lawmakers Reach Tenative Deal On 2012 Budget

BOSTON (AP) -- House and Senate officials have reached a tentative agreement on a 2012 budget for Massachusetts just one day before the fiscal year begins.

Rep. Brian Dempsey and Sen. Stephen Brewer, who led the negotiations, plan to announce details of the spending bill Thursday afternoon.

Details about the compromise budget were not immediately available.

Once the budget is filed, Gov. Deval Patrick has 10 days to sign it into law and make any line-item vetoes.

Patrick has already signed a 10-day stopgap budget to keep crucial state operations continuing until the new spending plan is in place.

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