Tax collections up slightly for November but behind for year

ATLANTA - The state revenue commissioner reported Monday that the state posted a modest increase in tax collections last month, but still is running more than a quarter-billion dollars behind for the year. <br> <br> Collections for the month were up .2 percent, or slightly more than one million dollars, from November a year ago. But for the first five months of the fiscal year, which began July 1, collections are down 275.8 million, or 5.2 percent, against the same period last year. <br> <br> In 15 of the last 17 months, state tax collections have been down. Outgoing Governor Roy Barnes already has called for deeper cuts throughout state government, including education. <br> <br> In Athens, where lawmakers were attending a three-day seminar in advance of next month&#39;s legislative session, legislators are saying belt-tightening will be a top priority. <br> <br> Earlier this year Governor Barnes ordered state agencies to prepare for 3 percent reductions. Last month, his budget office recommended increasing the cut to 5 percent.