Press Releases
04/19/2016
Statement from Governor Dannel P. Malloy
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released the following statement:
"The intentions laid out by the Speaker today are literally the opposite of how I've tried to consistently move the budget conversation forward this year.
"I've put all my ideas on the table in the form of two balanced budgets. The Speaker has not put a balanced plan on the table, and now says he doesn't plan to do so until the very end of session.
"I've faced difficult realties head on and made tough decisions, even cutting things that I'd rather not cut, like ECS. I've said we can't do this while still holding every line item sacred. The Speaker is now saying we can somehow get to the bottom of a $900 million problem without touching any of the numerous priorities each of us have, and without raising taxes.
"I've invited input from legislators, local leaders, and the public via town hall meetings. It appears the Speaker is now saying he will produce a budget with zero public input and hand his caucus and the legislature something to vote on in the waning hours of session.
"This kind of thinking is business as usual in Hartford. None of this is a recipe for a good budget, it's a recipe for gimmicks and band aid solutions. This kind of thinking has failed us in the past. This year, we need to do things differently.
"I want to reiterate that I am willing to meet with Democrat and Republican leaders to move this conversation forward."
BACKGROUND
:
Editorial from the Connecticut Post, "Legislators need to look at the long haul - not just the next tough year":
"To his credit, Malloy seems to be more attuned to the gravity of the situation and willing to make the hard choices than are his party's legislative leaders. He's been forceful and decisive because, in the clutch, through a series of budget adjustments, his majority party couldn't - or wouldn't - finish its work."
Editorial from the Norwich Bulletin, "Malloy's budget is only complete solution so far":
"The proposal the Democrat-controlled Appropriations Committee put out last week fell more than $300 million short.
"It is good, then, that Malloy took it upon himself to finish the job, in so doing defying the party and challenging members to abandon the signature policy achievement of the two-year budget passed last summer.
"Someone has to solve the problem. The Legislature shows little inclination or ability to get it done and is in no position to object to the exertions of the governor's office in this regard."
Editorial from The Day, "Don't like Malloy plan to balance state budget? Produce an alternative":
"Only Malloy is making a serious attempt at balancing the budget without resorting to state tax increases."
Editorial from the Journal Inquirer, "State legislators shirking budgetary responsibilities":
"Legislative leaders of both parties are avoiding their responsibility. Their efforts to be realistic in talk about budget balancing are fallacious and are merely attempts to blame the governor for their own failing."
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