A steamed Gov. Deval Patrick slammed lawmakers yesterday for abruptly clocking out and taking an early holiday break as pending education and crime reforms along with budget cuts hang in the balance.

“The Legislature ought to get back in here and finish this work before they go off for six weeks,” Patrick said at a hastily called afternoon news conference. “Whatever they have to do, it’s my understanding they can get it done in plenty of time and still enjoy their holidays.”