With the flick of her budget pen, Governor M. Jodi Rell said "no" to two bills aimed at cutting the deficit.
The bills, passed in the Democratic-controlled state legislature, both fall far short of what's needed to balance the budget, said Rell. Her office issued a statement, but she declined to address the media.
The magic number needed to fill the state budget hole is $337 million dollars. Rep. Tim O’Brien, Democrat of New Britain, disagrees with Rell’s veto. “Our proposal is responsible," he said. "It closes the deficit in a way that makes sure we are not cutting back on the aid to the cities and towns.”
The Democrats say their plan would save 5,000 private sector jobs, save towns and cities $84 million dollars the Governor wanted to cut and also save nearly $39 million in federal money.
The Governor doesn't agree, saying: “The Democrats want to move money around from one account to another and one fiscal year to another in the vain hope that increased taxes will fill the holes left behind.”
Rell has her own plan aimed at cutting the deficit. Her plan, while never acted on, would delay entrance into the state’s Charter Oak Health Plan, reduce state aid to cities and towns by 3 percent, and cut state agency budgets.
Whether or not the Governor’s proposal will see the House and Senate remains to be seen.
Opening day of the regular session is February 3.
