Gov. Patrick unveils FY2015 budget plan

BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick is delivering his final state budget to Beacon Hill lawmakers, which proposes increasing spending by 4.9 percent over the current fiscal year.

Patrick said the 2015 fiscal year spending plan expands early education, adds jobs, closes the achievement gap in schools, ensures health care is affordable, and addresses youth and urban violence.

The plan includes a $205 million increase in education funding, with money for full-day kindergarten.

The plan also increases funding for the state transportation department and the MBTA by $141 million to end what Patrick called the costly practice of paying for transportation staff on the capital budget.

Patrick is again proposing $57 million in new tax revenues by applying the state's sales tax to candy and soda.

The budget now heads to state lawmakers.

Cox Media Group