After more than six hours of debate, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed a bill that closes a $400 million gap in Gov. Dannel Malloy's $40.1 billion budget.
The 277-page bill passed by a vote of 83-63.
Originally, Malloy was seeking $2 billion in labor concessions from state employee unions. After two months of talks, union negotiators agreed to $1.6 billion in concessions, which left the $400 million hole.
The plan relies on more than $300 million from a $1 billion surplus built into the budget.
Republicans said it's irresponsible to use surplus funds in a recession and they're critical of the budget that relies on union concessions that have yet to be ratified.
