Perillo: Budget Fix A Positive Step, But More Work Remains

In a session of the Connecticut General Assembly Tuesday afternoon, State Representative Jason Perillo (R‑113) voted in favor of a bipartisan package to cut the $220 million deficit that remains in the final months of the 2016 budget.

The GOP successfully fought for restoring $31 million to state hospitals, preventing dramatic cuts to towns and cities, and minimizing cuts to social service programs. It also avoids depleting the state’s Rainy Day Fund which will be needed to offset future deficits.
 
The Governor has kicked the can down the road for years and yesterday’s cuts were essential first steps,” said Rep. Perillo. I was very proud, though, to eliminate cuts to town aid. These cuts would only lead to increased property taxes here in Shelton and in other towns. The Governor can’t make up for his budget failures by increasing the tax burden on residents.”
 
Republicans voted with Democrats to pass the $220 million deficit mitigation plan that will only cover the last three months of the year. The legislators noted that it would still be essential for state employee unions to negotiate for givebacks or else the likelihood of major layoffs of state employees becomes a foregone conclusion.
 
A bipartisan solution to the deficit remained in doubt until the last days leading up to Tuesday’s session because Democrats were still proposing at least $8 million in municipal aid cuts that would have slashed local budgets as the fiscal year was ending June 30. Republicans on Monday pushed for additional negotiations and by Monday night, Democrats decided to join them.
 
The package passed the House by a vote of 127 to 16, and passed the State Senate 33 – 3. It will now head to governor for his signature. 
 
Perillo noted that while yesterday’s action was a positive step, there is already a $900 million deficit for the next budget year, which balloons to $4.5 billion in the next biennium. He said the state still needs to make the fundamental structural changes that Republicans have been calling for to achieve future budget stability.
 
This session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight, Wednesday, May 4th, 2016.

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