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More Budget Cuts Likely In Mass. This Year

Officials collected almost $2 billion in taxes in December, down 5 percent from December a year earlier. That's $87 million below the state projection.

That shortfall in revenue could mean budget cuts later this year.

Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez says the possible cuts, along with an increased need for state welfare and medical insurance, paints a tough budget picture.

"The demand on all those programs in some cases has gone up by 92 percent since the recession started," Gonzalez said. "Those cost growths are increasing at a rate that's higher than what we see revenues growing at."

While income and business tax collections were down, sales tax revenue was up, a positive sign for the economy.

This program aired on January 5, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

Headshot of Lynn Jolicoeur

Lynn Jolicoeur Producer/Reporter
Lynn Jolicoeur is the field producer for WBUR's All Things Considered. She also reports for the station's various local news broadcasts.

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