Revenue Shortfalls Lead to Talk of Taxes, Budget Cuts

BOSTON (AP) — Could taxes be on the menu when the Massachusetts Legislature begins a new two-year session in January?

As state revenues have fallen below estimates — making additional budget cuts possible — tax proposals that have been off the table in recent years may enter the conversation next year as lawmakers look for a more permanent fix to the state’s fiscal woes.

Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo, in a recent interview with WBZ-TV, said he’d listen to opinions from economists about the possible need for new revenues, though he also made note of his disdain for broad-based tax hikes.

Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, who staunchly opposes new taxes, must inform lawmakers by Oct. 15 if he plans to revise downward the $26.2 billion tax revenue estimate for fiscal year that began in July.