The gap in next year’s budget is likely larger than initially estimated, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said today at a Red Room question and answer session.

Cuomo, who is under fire from progressive groups to keep a tax on those who make $250,000 or a more a year that’s set to expire, said tax revenue collection has lower than expected during this fiscal year.

“Initially the revenues were coming in better than expected,” Cuomo said following the signing of a bil that requires insurance companies pay for autism treatment and diagnosis. “March, April, May and we were ahead of the projections on the budget. It is fair to say it has slowed down and the deficit at this point appears to be getting worse. We’ll have numbers soon, but the signs are not good thus far.”

It’s not too surprising, given that both Cuomo and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have given pessimistic outlooks on the budget in recent weeks. DiNapoli recently warned that because of gyrating markets on Wall Street tax revenue has been lower than expected.

The deficit for the 2012-13 budget will likely exceed $2 billion.

The 2011-12 fiscal year spending plan closed a $10 billion deficit without any major tax or fee increases — a provision that Cuomo hopes to carry over in to next year’s budget, due April 1.

“I can’t create new facts,” he said. “I can’t wish the state to have a surplus. I can’t wish the deficit away. I have to govern with these facts.”

Though that gap is far smaller than the one closed last year, Cuomo has said he would honor an agreement that would add back $400 million in education and health-care spending next year. But he continues to resist calls on raising taxes on the wealthy, saying the state can ill-afford to keep high levies in place — a provision that Occupy Wall Street protesters, including the local incarnation here across the street from the Capitol, continue to push.

And this all comes as a coalition of groups calls for a reduction in state mandated spending in light of a 2 percent cap on local property taxes now in effect.

The governor wouldn’t say if he plans to include mandate relief in his proposed budget, due in January.

“It is a constant exercise,” he said. “We made progress in the mandate relief. I think it’s a continuing process, it’s an evolving process.”

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