The final four months of formal sessions of the 2015-2016 General Court are approaching with a small but growing basket of significant new laws on the books, scores of initiatives still up in the air, and a focus on budgeting that looms as a distraction in a legislature where power is centralized in the upper echelons. While lawmakers slow-cook a new state budget, a public records law overhaul and major energy bills, they’re up against another fiscal deadline. Some government accounts are about to run out of money.

Lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Baker underestimated the spending required across an array of programs, leading to the advancement this week of a $167.7 million spending bill. Legislative leaders are eager to get that bill to Baker’s desk soon but will need to resolve differences, including an approach to eligibility for health safety net programs that has impacts for both low-income individuals and the care providers that serve them. State budget overseers are keeping a close eye on March tax collections, mindful that a surge in receipts is needed to keep up with planned spending.

Click on the audio player above to hear Henry Epp’s conversation with Matt Murphy of the State House News Service.