Governor prepared to use his veto power, aide says

A day after the House released a spending plan that eliminates or scales back many of Governor Deval Patrick's banner budget proposals, a spokesman for the governor said the chief executive is willing to defend his budget priorities by exercising his veto power.

"The governor is prepared to wield his veto pen if need be," said Kyle Sullivan, press secretary to the governor.

Sullivan would not be specific about which initiatives Patrick would insist on having in the budget for fiscal year 2008, which begins July 1. But the administration has stark disagreements with the House on a number of fronts.

In order to mend a structural deficit in the budget, Patrick proposed closing so-called corporate tax loopholes, which would net $295 million next year and about $500 million in 2009. But House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi has strongly opposed the idea, saying it could hurt the economy. Instead, the House balanced the budget by dipping into reserves, which Patrick believes is ill-advised.

The House budget also cancels Patrick's plan to put 250 new police officers on the street, one of Patrick's signature campaign promises, and instead uses the money for an existing community policing program. The House budget also eliminates millions Patrick set aside to expand public health services, all-day kindergarten, and extended learning time.

But the House budget does include more money than Patrick's proposal for public schools, higher education, sewer rate relief, and other programs, without new taxes, fines, or fees.

"This is the beginning of what is always a very lengthy and robust debate over state spending," said David Guarino, a spokesman for DiMasi. The House budget, which will come up for a floor vote the week of April 23, "will include many shared priorities of both the governor and the Legislature," Guarino said.

LISA WANGSNESS