Metrowest Daily News 1/23/09: Patrick to seek $128 million cut in local aid. Patrick said he would try to offset those reductions by asking the Legislature to approve a 1 percent increase in the state hotel and meals taxes. While the governor said he would not cut state educational assistance to cities and towns for the remainder of this fiscal year, he revealed that his 2010 budget will level-fund education next year. By not increasing the amount of money flowing to education programs, he could prompt program cuts because teacher salaries and other costs rise annually.