June 20, 2009 Patrick awaits ethics reform before signing budget Play video

(NECN: John Moroney, Boston, Mass.) - It took cuts, compromises and concession, but both the Massachusetts House and Senate were able to pass a $27.4 billion budget -- including a raise in the sales tax from 5 to 6.25-percent.

Still, Governor Deval Patrick has promised to veto the budget unless he gets something he wants -- the passage of a bill dealing with ethics reform, including a ban on any gift to a legislator over $50 in value.

"I've asked that the legislature move on pension reform and transportation reform and ethics reform before the budget is due and before I will sign it. They have moved on two of those now, and I appreciate that very much," Gov. Patrick said. "Ethics reform remains, and it's got to include a gift ban."

The governor has ten days to act on the budget, as the new fiscal year starts on July 1st.

NECN's John Moroney reports.