Mayors to discuss budget shortfall at Statehouse

By Globe Staff

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray has invited the state’s mayors to Beacon Hill Friday afternoon to discuss the budget shortfall the state is facing.

“They’ve been invited. It’s an informational meeting about the state’s fiscal situation, and the lieutenant governor will listen to the mayors to get input and concerns about the budget,” said governor’s spokeswoman Becky Deusser.

Governor Deval Patrick, who is planning to announce budget cuts next week, has been seeking expanded powers from the Legislature that would allow him to trim local aid, a lifeblood for mayors and other municipal officials.

Patrick has not ruled out making such cuts, and House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi said this week that while reducing local aid is a “last resort,” cities and towns should prepare to cut their budgets.

A group of economists and public policy specialists warned lawmakers and Patrick earlier this week that they should brace themselves for an extended period of declining or tepid tax revenues and smaller state budgets that will define the State House agenda for up to three years, the Globe reported Wednesday.

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