The state's budget is in limbo as members of the state employees unions prepare for a re-vote on a clarified concessions deal and Gov. Dannel Malloy has been issuing layoff notices and cutting state programs.
Among the cuts are the athletic programs at the state's technical schools and student-athletes protested at the state Capitol on Thursday morning to fight against those cuts.
The students showed up in uniform, held signs and chanted "save our sports" as they lined the steps of the state House.
"It's absolutely ridiculous. We've worked hard. This is our fourth year of playing volleyball and how come all of a sudden, they cut our sports? We worked really hard to become seniors on the volleyball team," Stephanie Riquier, a volleyball player at Windham Tech, said.
Charles Gomez, a football player from Wilcox Tech, said football, baseball, tennis, soccer and other sports keep youth off the streets and athletics get them doing something positive.
“I didn't think it would go this deep as to take it away from the kids,” Pete Dombrowski, of East Hampton, said. “I am hoping unions come forward and step up, do pay to play to save it for the kids and not just for our school, for all the technical schools.”
The state employee unions plan to complete the voting process on the $1.6 billion deal by mid-August.
