HARTFORD — Amid a major budget deficit and ongoing discussions between Gov. Dan Malloy and state lawmakers, the governor announced $65 million in immediate rescissions Tuesday afternoon, and requested an additional $13 million.
The governor has been meeting with legislators to discuss ways to reduce the $220 million deficit in this fiscal year, and the more than $900 million deficit for the budget year starting July 1.
Gov. Malloy released the following statement to FOX 61 on the announcement of the cuts:
These were difficult decisions, but ones that nevertheless have to be made to ensure that we don’t spend more than we actually have. I appreciate our recent discussions with legislative leadership, and hope they will continue to be productive and lead to a bipartisan solution. Together, we must adjust our overall spending expectations. I look forward to continuing to meet with Democratic and Republican leadership in both chambers in order to find the best solutions possible.
Here are some of the larger immediate cuts announced on Tuesday:
- More than $1 million in overtime expenses each for the attorney general and Department of Administrative Services
- Nearly $2 million for the Board of Regents for Higher Education
- More than $6.5 million from the Department of Children and Families, with nearly $2 million in that from short term residential care
- $17 million from the Department of Developmental services, with nearly $10 million of that coming from residential and day services
- More than $6 million from the Department of Education
- More than $7 million from the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- More than $2 million from Department of Public Health
- More than $3 million from Department of Social Services, including $1.4 million from Medicaid
- More than $5 million from UConn and the UConn Health Center, primarily from operating expenses
In addition to the $65 million in cuts from Executive Branch services, the governor requested more than $4 million in cuts from Legislative Branch agencies and more than $9 million from Judicial Branch agencies.
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, released the following statement regarding the cuts:
House and Senate Democrat inaction has clearly pushed Gov. Malloy to make these cuts. The Democrats are dragging their feet and the governor is taking notice. Republicans released a complete deficit mitigation plan this week because we recognize the need for the legislature to act.
We applauded the governor for calling on lawmakers to do their job, now it’s time we actually vote on a package to close the budget shortfall immediately, not at the end of the month. It is the Democrats’ hesitation that led to the governor’s action today, therefore Democrats must be held accountable for the governor’s cuts. Republicans have put an alternative reasonable, responsible plan on the table the governor has said he would sign into law if passed by the General Assembly. What are the Democrat leaders waiting for?
