Statements from Senate President Pro Tempore Looney and Senate Majority Leader Duff on Senate Passage of Significant Contractual Concessions and Structural Changes to State Employee Labor Agreements
Senate Democratic leadership today issued the following statements regarding the final Senate approval of an agreement with the state employee unions that will save taxpayers more than $1.5 billion over the next two years:
“Today, Democrats in the Senate voted for significant contractual concessions and systemic reforms to our state employee labor agreements,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “The SEBAC agreement is the most critical single piece of the budget equation, and today Democrats in the Senate wiped out 30 percent—more than $1.5 billion—of the projected biennial deficit.
“I want to thank my colleagues for their leadership and courage in approving this agreement.”
“This agreement is the latest step toward making government more affordable and more efficient for taxpayers,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Outside independent analysts confirm that the new SEBAC agreement makes important long-term changes to our state employee pension and benefit programs resulting in significant savings for taxpayers—roughly $24 billion over the next 20 years.”
“These savings are another important step toward reaching a final balanced budget that protects taxpayers, vital services and the important economic gains made here in Connecticut.”