Senate Leadership
July 24, 2009
Democrats to Present Revised Budget Next Week
New law championed by Democrats moves process along, prompts all sides to publicly present balanced budgets
State Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) say the legislature’s Appropriations Committee, and Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee will vote on revised budget plans next week.
“Every day that goes by without a state budget means more uncertainty for families, businesses, and municipalities,” said Senator Williams. “Thanks to the new consensus revenue law re-passed by the legislature in this week’s veto session, we have a real opportunity to break the budget stalemate.”
“By the end of next week, the size of the deficit should no longer be in dispute and each side’s budget proposal will be made public,” continued Senator Williams. “After so many weeks without a budget, Connecticut deserves nothing less.”
“This gives us a real chance for agreement,” said Speaker Donovan. “Each party will put their best proposal out there, in full view of the public and with no more debate about the size of the deficit. Then everyone can understand where we are in agreement, where we differ, and we can negotiate the best solutions to resolve those differences.”
Under the new law, which Gov. Rell originally vetoed in early June, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) must come to agreement on the size of the deficit by the end of Saturday July 25, 2009. If the two offices do not meet the deadline, the State Comptroller will make the final determination.
The law also makes clear that unless they have already done so, the legislative committees and the governor must then present budget plans that balance the full deficit. In a July 23rd letter to Gov. Rell, the Senate President and Speaker of the House wrote:
“We intend . . . to take advantage of the opportunity to publicly present our budget at the same time you present yours. Therefore, we have instructed our Chairs to develop a plan to be voted on next week by the Committee members.”
“A budget agreement is imperative for families and communities across the state. A public appraisal of the merits and similarities of our respective plans will help in the process of reaching an agreement on the budget, especially at this point in the negotiations.”
The Senate President and Speaker of the House are eager for budget negotiations to continue immediately and believe that the new law should not be used an excuse to delay talks.
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Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
