House adds spending to budget plan during debate

BOSTON—House lawmakers were adding millions in spending during their second day of budget debate.

Lawmakers retreated to a back room to hash out which of dozens of proposed amendments related to human services, mental health and mental retardation programs would make it into the final House version of the state budget.

Lawmakers emerged with a single consolidated amendment that set aside money for specific programs, including $3.3 million for housing for the homeless mentally ill and $2.5 million for a child psychiatric access project.

There were also smaller earmarks, including $100,000 for the Special Olympics and another $100,000 for a Cape Cod head injury program.