BATON ROUGE (AP) - Talks are starting this week among Louisiana lawmakers about a possible deal to lessen budget cuts that hit state services in three weeks.

  

Senate President John Alario says House and Senate leaders, along with other lawmakers, are meeting Monday to try to broker a tax compromise.

  

Alario expects additional meetings ahead of a special session opening next week.

  

Louisiana is expected to bring in $648 million less in the budget year starting July 1, a shortfall tied to the loss of temporary taxes. Gov. John Bel Edwards called special sessions in February and May aimed at filling the shortfall. Both collapsed without closing the gap.

  

Edwards has called a third special session, a 10-day gathering to start next Monday, aimed at replacing some expiring taxes and avoiding deep cuts.