Baker Prepares To Balance Budget, Says Cuts Needed

BOSTON (CBS) -- It's 2016--and budgets for the state in 2017 are already due for legislative approval in about three weeks.

Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday it's clear there will have to be budget cuts to balance the 2016 fiscal year--just as there were last year. He says he's committed to not touching local aid to cities and towns.

"We're doing everything we can to make sure we don't hit services people depend on, and we're going to stay away from cities and towns," said Baker.

Baker said he's waiting for the December tax revenue numbers to come in before making any final decisions, and hinted that the holidays are one reason they haven't yet made decisions.

"We are currently at the very end of a couple of weeks where it was a little complicated to get all the right people in the room," said Baker.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports