HARTFORD -- During a tour of the KNOX Foundation Thursday morning, Gov. Dan Malloy defended his administration's rescission cuts.
"What I'm trying to say here is we gotta do this. Can't spend money you don't have and we're not going to raise taxes so hard decisions have to be made," said Malloy.
Most parts of state government are affected by the proposed cuts, from tourism to education, but it appears social services will be hit the hardest. Republicans have announced a plan to cut $220 million from this fiscal year to balance the budget, but the looming issue of a deficit worth $900 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is still looming. Democrats haven't yet released a plan but expect to do so by the end of the week.
"We came out with a plan just this week. The governor said he would sign it, the governor has put forth some rescissions so let's make these decisions now before it gets even harder to make long term," said state Sen. Rob Kane.
Lawmakers have agreed to an April 1 deadline for a final plan.