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Mass. Lawmakers Racing To Finish New State Budget

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts lawmakers have delayed a final vote on the new state budget.

A six-member House and Senate committee has been negotiating behind closed doors trying to hammer out a compromise spending plan.

House and Senate leaders had hoped to release the final budget Friday with a vote on Saturday, but decided to put off the vote until at least Monday, the first day of the new fiscal year.

Both House and Senate budgets call for spending increases over the current fiscal year, but less in total spending than Gov. Deval Patrick had requested.

Both budgets are also predicated on about $500 million in new revenue, including hikes in gasoline and cigarette taxes included in a separate transportation financing bill.

Patrick has said he will return the transportation bill to lawmakers, asking for changes.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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