CONCORD – New Hampshire tax receipts fell short in October of what budget writers had hoped, leaving the state nearly $38 million short of its revenue target so far this year.

A monthly report from the Department of Administrative Services shows the state took in $204 million in taxes and other revenues last month, $12 million short of the month's budget target.

Through the first four months of this fiscal year, the state has taken in $585 million, instead of the $623 million the budget was built to have at this point. The figures include $97 million in revenue to the Medicaid program from the federal government.

The DAS report shows that overall, tax revenues this fiscal year are below last year's levels by $4.6 million, less than 1 percent. October is a major revenue producer because of the concentration of business taxes that are paid. December is the next big month on the tax calendar.

►Legislature tallies budget savings (1)

Rooms and meals tax receipts were off by more than 10 percent in October, coming in $2.5 million short of a $23 million goal. Tobacco sales, court fines, lottery sales, interest and dividend taxes, and liquor sales all missed their targets.

Business taxes were off by $1.3 million, about 5 percent, from a target of $26 million for the month. They are short by about the same percentage for the year, producing $128 million so far. Compared with last year's numbers, business tax receipts have fallen just over 7 percent.

State Republican Party Chairman John H. Sununu said the numbers show that Democrats are mismanaging the state's finances. He also criticized the state's attempt to use $110 million in Joint Underwriting Association medical malpractice funds to balance the budget, a move now the subject of a state Supreme Court appeal.

"Bloated estimates and reckless spending have forced New Hampshire into a fiscal crisis," he said in a statement.

Sen. Lou D'Allesandro, D-Manchester, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, argued the state is better off than any surrounding states.

"Once we get this state employees contract under control and get a decision from the Supreme Court, we'll move forward and manage this budget in a proper manner," he said.