Lawmakers are weighing whether to use Louisiana's "rainy day" fund to help fill a $211 million gap in this year's budget.

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley said Thursday that he's willing to look at using the money because he's worried that otherwise public colleges and health care programs would face deep cuts that could damage services.

"I don't know that there are a whole lot of options left at this point in time," said Kleckley, R-Lake Charles.

The state's revenue forecasting panel downgraded income projections this week, as income tax collections remain sluggish and below expectations. The Revenue Estimating Conference dropped this year's forecast by nearly $211 million and next year's forecast by $304 million.

Louisiana is required to have a balanced budget each year.