HARTFORD, Conn. -- The candidates who are trying to be Connecticut's next governor met with local leaders from cities and towns on Tuesday.

The municipal leaders brought up three major concerns during the meeting. One of them was not getting enough money from the state. Leaders are worried because the budget is only going to get worse next year. They also said they want property tax relief and more education funding.

This was more than just a campaign stop for the candidates. it was a chane for local town leaders to find out what they are going to do about the budget if they get elected.

All agreed they want a governor who will make a strong commitment in supporting them and allowing them to raise revenues.

The first question that was asked was if they would reduce the budget by cutting aid to cities and towns. All except one said no.

Larry DeNardis said, "So I would say to be perfectly candid with you, without trying to dance around, everything is on the table."

East Hartford Mayor Melody Curry said, "Ultimately that's what's going to happen because there is only so much money to go around and you have to look at it all."

Many of the candidates said they needed to look at revenue sources like adding tolls to Connecticut's highways and a local sales tax.

Rudy Marconi said, "I firmly believe that there's absolutely no way we're going to be able to cut our way out of a $3 billion plus deficit. We need to look at the revenue side."

Derrlyn Gorsky, the first selectman of Bethany, said her town's budget is cut to the bone.

Gorsky said, "Unless they really address the primary problem, which is property tax, then there is no way to balance the budget without cutting municipal aid in some way, shape, or form."

May of the candidates said they were favoring reducing state government as well as a progressive income tax.