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Mass. House Panel Unveiling Proposed Budget Plan

BOSTON (AP) — A key House committee has proposed a nearly $32.3 state budget that includes no new taxes and boosts state aid to cities and towns.

In a letter to House members Wednesday, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian Dempsey says the economy in Massachusetts is recovering, though difficult budget decisions are still necessary.

The House spending plan calls for "increased coordination" between the state's 15 community colleges, but does not go as far as Gov. Deval Patrick's call for centralizing the administration of the schools.

Dempsey says the House budget fully funds unrestricted local aid and increases state aid to education.

Patrick's budget proposal called for a hike in the tobacco tax and sales taxes on candy and soda. House Speaker Robert DeLeo ruled out new taxes in the House spending plan.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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