The Massachusetts House has restored nearly $17.6 million in grants for expansion of kindergarten programs that were vetoed from the state budget by Gov. Charlie Baker.
The 155-0 override vote on Wednesday was the first of dozens expected to be taken by the Democratic-controlled Legislature on line-item vetoes the Republican governor announced when he signed the $38.1 billion spending plan earlier this month.
House leaders said earlier in the day that they hoped to restore $97 million of the $162 million in spending cut by Baker.
The kindergarten grants are aimed at expanding full-day kindergarten programs, with preference given to struggling school districts in low-income communities.
In a letter to lawmakers explaining his vetoes, Baker said he reduced the kindergarten grants appropriation to $1 million because that was the level needed for the program.
Baker's Kindergarten Budget Cuts Restored
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