Senate Leadership
September 10, 2008
Looney Urges Governor Rell to Keep Criminal Justice Initiatives Off Chopping Block
Senator Looney will ask Governor Rell to pledge support for criminal justice funding at Wednesday’s leadership meeting
State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) says he looks forward to continuing to work with Gov. Rell to help close the projected budget deficit, but cautions that shortsighted budget decisions now could undermine public safety and cost Connecticut families much more down the road. Senator Looney will share his concerns with Gov. Rell at the Wednesday afternoon leadership meeting at the governor’s residence.
“Before Gov. Rell makes more rescissions, Senate Democrats urge her to fully evaluate the implications of funding delays or reductions for critical programs, something she has not always done in the past,” said Senator Looney. “It is critical that funding for criminal justice initiatives which protect public safety not be undermined. I hope Gov. Rell will make that pledge today, not only concerning the Department of Correction but also the Judicial Department.”
Just months ago, in the first round of budget rescissions, Gov. Rell cut $11 million from the Judicial Department and claimed it would have no effect on the new criminal justice initiatives passed by the General Assembly in 2008.
Senator Looney first questioned the wisdom of these cuts at the end of June, just days after they were announced. Senator Looney claimed the cuts could impact important measures of the crime bills which call for increasing post-incarceration services for offenders.
Gov. Rell’s response was swift and severe, telling one newspaper, “Sen. Looney is dead wrong.” Gov. Rell also told reporters that the cuts were not ‘programmatic’ and would not affect new spending on criminal justice programs.
Weeks later, Judge Barbara Quinn provided testimony to the Appropriations Committee which directly contradicted Gov. Rell’s assertion that the cuts would not undermine new criminal justice initiatives.
In written testimony to the Appropriations Committee on July 9, 2008, Judge Quinn revealed that more than $4 million of Gov. Rell’s rescissions were to come from “planned expansions and enhancements to adult and juvenile alternative incarceration programs.” Judge Quinn continued, “ . . . virtually all new programming associated with the crime bills will be delayed in order to achieve the necessary savings.”
Still, Gov. Rell insisted her cuts would not undermine the new criminal justice programs and told reporters she was ‘sick and tired’ of legislators complaining about it. But a report from the Office of Fiscal Analysis substantiated Senator Looney’s concerns and eventually Gov. Rell reversed course. (See Wed. August 6th 2008 Stamford Advocate article — Rell orders funding for reform)
“It is vitally important that as more rescissions are made that Gov. Rell work with legislators and listen to their concerns,” said Senator Looney. “In these difficult times, constituents expect their elected officials to work together to make prudent decisions that not only protect the health of the state budget, but also the health and welfare of Connecticut families.”
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Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
