Dukakis Ends Lt. Gov.’s Budget Mutiny

Gov. Michael S. Dukakis closed the book on the “Massachusetts Mutiny” on Friday when he returned from a European trade mission and ended Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy’s brief reign as acting governor.

There was some consolation for Murphy in the aftermath of an episode that sank her foundering race for governor. An aide said Dukakis would consider adopting some elements of her plan to restructure the state’s frail budget.

Dukakis said he planned to meet today with assistants to discuss the state budget, which already is running at a deficit two months into the fiscal year. He refused to say what action he would take on Murphy’s plans.

Just a week earlier, Dukakis left Massachusetts under a cloud of rebellion, with Murphy pledging to seize control of the state’s finances in his absence.

Murphy, who was seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, announced her budget plans on Sept. 7. But she could not escape charges that her tactics were designed to bolster her failing campaign.

Murphy dropped out of the governor’s race Monday. She said she would continue to fight for her plans.