By Bob Katzen

The House fired the second shot in the long battle over the state budget for fiscal year 2025 that begins on July 1. Gov. Maura Healey fired the opening volley in January when she filed her version of the spending package. The House Ways and Means Committee last week unveiled its own $57.9 billion version.

It increases spending by $1.9 billion, or 3.3 percent, over the current fiscal year 2024 budget. Debate on the House version is scheduled to begin soon.

After the full House approves a version of the package, the Senate will follow suit with its own draft, and a House-Senate conference committee will eventually craft a plan that will be presented to the House and Senate for consideration and sent to the governor.