State to face $1.2B deficit next year, budget center says

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - A new report shows that the state will face a $1.2 billion budget gap next year.

The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center says that more and more people are in need of government services, and there simply is not enough revenue coming in to keep up.

The Center blames $2.5 billion in tax cuts approved in the 1990’s for some of the revenue issues.

Growing education, public safety, and transportation costs have not been met, and here in western Massachusetts, some see those issues as more acute than they are in the eastern part of the state.

"To me, the money is going where it's supposed to go, expect in western Mass where our bridges and roads are terrible condition,” Martha Smith of Holyoke said. “I'm tired of paying for the Big Dig, and the transportation problem in Boston is not our problem out here."

The chairmen of the Ways and Means committees in both the Senate and House estimate revenue may be more than expected in 2014; growing by 3.9%. Still, State lawmakers have said that tax increases may be on the table in future budget discussions.