HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says "everything has to be on the table" when he and state legislators negotiate a new budget over the coming months that attempts to address Connecticut's latest deficit challenges.

But the Democrat stressed to reporters Friday that he's not pushing for higher taxes, even though he didn't rule them out.

Malloy says "that's absolutely not what I'm leading with."

Malloy says he's likely the most fiscally conservative governor the Connecticut press corps has covered.

The governor will unveil a proposed two-year budget next month. During his State of the State address Wednesday, he said he'll propose additional spending cuts and changes to the state education aid formula for cities and towns.

Also Malloy says his administration has been meeting with state employee unions about possible concessions.