Speaker: Mass. budget could be off by $1 billion

BOSTON - House Speaker Robert DeLeo said the Massachusetts budget may be up to $1 billion out of balance and that cuts in state aid to cities and towns are possible.

The Winthrop Democrat told the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday the question isn’t whether there will be more cuts but “how much?“

DeLeo also told The Republican of Springfield that he expects Gov. Deval Patrick will make a series of cuts around Nov. 1 and then legislators would discuss any local aid cuts.

Senate President Therese Murray told WBUR-FM that multiple state development agencies are targets for a merger, as are nonprofit groups dispensing and depending on state funding.

Lawmakers have a hearing Thursday afternoon to discuss expected tax revenues that will determine the size of the budget cuts.