News

Mass. Senate leader hopeful on transportation bill

BOSTON (AP) - Senate President Therese Murray says she's hopeful that Gov. Deval Patrick will back off on his veto threat and sign a transportation finance bill when it reaches his desk.

The bill passed the House earlier this week and is tentatively slated for debate in the Senate on Saturday.

In a speech to business leaders on Thursday, Murray said the current Senate version of the bill includes more dedicated revenue for transportation.

Patrick criticized the bill when it was first proposed last week by House and Senate leaders, calling it a "fiscal shell game" that would not do enough to address the state's long-term transportation needs.

Murray told reporters that some legislators were put off by Patrick's harsh rhetoric.