November 26, 2008
Hartford: Just days after helping to pass legislation that helped cut the projected budget deficit by more than $280 million, Senate President Donald E Williams, Jr. is suggesting that work begin immediately to determine how much money would be saved by consolidating several state agencies and programs.
“We cannot afford to take a holiday from the hard work needed to balance this budget crisis,” said Senator Williams. “I am prepared to begin work immediately on determining how best to reorganize state government. This is the time to bring Democrats and Republicans together and start hammering out solutions.”
Senator Williams says consolidating the following agencies may save taxpayers tens of millions of dollars and help make state government more efficient and effective:
Department of Higher Education and the Department of Education (combined $5.3 billion budget for current biennial budget).
Department of Developmental Services and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (combined $3 billion budget for the current biennial budget).
Department of Economic and Community Development, Department of Labor, and the Connecticut Development Authority, Office for Workforce Competiveness, Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, and Connecticut Innovations Inc. (at least $187 million budget for the current biennial budget).
“For this reorganization to be successful, it will be imperative for the commissioners to work with the appropriate legislative committees to achieve targeted savings,” said Senator Williams. “This crisis is an opportunity to make government work better.”
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Senator Williams’ |
Listing of Senator Williams’ recent press releases and a Press Kit with official head shots and bio. |
Press Aide Derek Slap |