Mass. Top Lawmakers Consider Sales Tax Hike

Some Beacon Hill lawmakers are suggesting increases in the income tax or sales tax because of the state budget gap.

Economists had a dire warning for lawmakers Tuesday on the size of the gap, and said the current fiscal crisis may last another three years.

WBUR's Steve Brown has more.

BROWN: The economists briefed the lawmakers in a closed door caucus at the State House. Afterwards, House Speaker Robert DeLeo said members were warned of a $3 to $4 billion dollar budget gap in the fiscal year that begins July first.

DeLeo said nothing — including potential revenue hikes — is off the table, although there may not be enough support for raising taxes, saying members may choose to make deeper cuts instead.

DeLEO: We have a major problem in terms of how far can you cut before you're essentially just cutting a particular program. And secondly, we have to be very, very careful in terms of the use of our stabilization funds.

BROWN: DeLeo says he'll get a better sense from the membership over the next few weeks how they plan to deal with the deficit.

For WBUR, I'm Steve Brown at the State House.