Mass. could be in for more budget cuts

BOSTON—It looks likely that still-plummeting tax collections in Massachusetts will prompt another round of budget-cutting.

Gov. Deval Patrick said Friday that tax collections in September fell $243 million below projections. Collections for the first quarter of the state’s fiscal year were off a cumulative $212 million.

Patrick said that raises the possibility of more budget cuts and state employee layoffs, as well as a further reduction in state aid to cities and towns.

The governor has already cut $7 billion and 1,400 state jobs to fill budget holes.

Patrick said he expects more details when he gets mid-month numbers and his staff spends a couple weeks devising an action plan.

Patrick said that while jobs are beginning to return to the state, tax collections will lag until enough of the unemployed are working and businesses start pumping taxes back into the system.