Patrick Warns Of Up To 6.5 Percent Cuts

Gov. Deval Patrick says some areas of the state government will have to cut spending by as much as 6.5 percent as part of his effort to close a $600 million budget shortfall.

Speaking to social service providers Thursday morning, the governor would not say which areas would face the deepest cuts, but did say social service programs will be reduced by less than 1 percent.

Patrick has said up to 2,000 layoffs may be needed because of falling state revenues. He formally outlines his proposed budget cuts Tuesday afternoon.