Lawmakers meet to discuss state budget

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Lawmakers met for the first time this year, working on a solution for the state's budget deficit of more than $350 million dollars.

The hearing opened up discussions of pension cuts and selling state assets. Officials say the goal is to make structural changes while avoiding the "rainy day fund".

"This is the second year in a row, the state's ended in the red, and is going to the rainy day fund . If it gets easy going to the rainy day fund, the rainy day fund won't last much longer,"said House Fiscal Advisor, Michael O'Keeffe.

The state's goal is to get the supplemental budget done and approved by February first.