State Comptroller Nancy Wyman puts Connecticut's 2009 budget deficit at $343 million.
Estimates have been fluctuating in recent weeks from as little as $193 million to as much as $356 million.
Wyman, says her estimate is based on collections of the income tax, which have dropped almost 12 percent from a year ago, and revenue from the sales tax, which is down by about 16 percent.
She says the state has lost 12,500 jobs so far this fiscal year, which ends June 30.
Lawmakers plan to vote Jan. 14 on Gov. M. Jodi Rell's latest plan to balance the budget.
Connecticut's deficit numbers are expected to change again after Jan. 15, the next deadline for taxpayers to file estimated payments for state income taxes.
