$1 Billion Surplus Remains Unspent On Beacon Hill

BOSTON (AP) _ It seems a reasonable assumption that Massachusetts politicians would be eager to spend more than $1 billion that _ in a manner of speaking _ is just lying around on Beacon Hill.

Yet nearly three months after the state's previous fiscal year ended with a sizeable revenue surplus, the Democratic-controlled Legislature has yet to act on a plan for how to use that unanticipated cash and close the books on fiscal year 2018.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker filed a plan with lawmakers in July which includes spending about $150 million of the surplus to enhance school safety and other education initiatives.

The Legislature ended formal sessions for the year without acting on the measure. While lawmakers continue to meet informally, only routine or uncontested bills typically advance during informal sessions.