Legislators are gathering this morning to hear Governor John Lynch’s budget address, and the news is expected to be grim.
Lynch is expected to recommend slashing programs, laying off state workers and cutting state aid to communities.
No one has put a firm number on the size of the state’s budget hole. But some believe Lynch may have to close a spending-revenue gap of up to $500 million in the next budget.
That is in addition to the perhaps $150 million revenue shortfall remaining to be dealt with in this year’s budget.
Statehouse insiders predict several hundred people could lose their jobs out of the 11,500 who work for the state.