Between staffing up his administration, organizing working groups to tackle problems, and holding snow emergency press conferences, Governor Charlie Baker has put nearly two months of experience in the Corner Office under his belt without putting to paper his vision of the future of state government. That run comes to an end on Wednesday when Baker files his first annual budget proposal, providing ample fodder for both his supporters and potential critics to chime in on his approach.

Baker inherited a $36.5 billion state budget and state tax collections are expected to rise 4.8 percent next fiscal year on the strength of continued job growth.  As a candidate, Baker pledged that in his first year he would increase total local aid, including education funding and unrestricted local aid, by at least 75 percent of the revenue growth rate.   He promised a $25 million allocation in his first year to pay-as-you-go transportation projects.  Baker also said he’d try to set minimum local aid funding levels for two years out.  The budget picture isn’t rosy all around.

 

For Susan Kaplan’s conversation with Matt Murphy about the week ahead on Beacon Hill, click the audio player above.