Baker official: Deficits priority in budget

BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker’s top budget official says the Republican administration’s nearly $40 billion spending plan moves the state closer to eliminating chronic deficits.

Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore testified Tuesday as legislators began hearings on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year.

Lepore said the plan closes an estimated $625 million shortfall by keeping spending in line with tax revenue growth.