BOSTON —A top official in Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's administration said Friday that the state's budget appears to be nearly $300 million out of balance, an announcement likely to trigger spending cuts and a reduction in the state's workforce.
In letters to Baker and legislative leaders, Secretary of Administration and Finance Kristen Lepore wrote that revenues in the fiscal year that started July 1 are "projected to be insufficient to meet authorized expenditures." She said the shortfall is partly due to lower-than-expected revenues generated by the state's 6.25 percent sales tax.
Baker also has faulted the Democratic-controlled Legislature for overriding many of his budget vetoes. Lawmakers voted in July to restore $231 million of $265 million in spending vetoed by the governor, potentially leaving the state without enough cushion to cover underfunded programs such as homeless shelters, legal assistance for the poor and snow and ice removal this winter, officials warned.
Lepore said immediate steps would be taken to close the projected $294 million deficit...
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