Democrats in the State Senate voted last week to approve significant concessions and structural changes — the types of structural changes many of us have long sought — to Connecticut’ state employee labor agreements (SEBAC). This vote is just the latest step Democrats in Connecticut have taken to make government more affordable and more efficient for our taxpayers, and the labor concessions in this agreement represent the most critical piece crafting our next biennial state budget — eliminating about a third of the projected state budget deficit.
Labor
Posted inCT Viewpoints
The biggest concessions in state union agreement came from taxpayers
Connecticut families and businesses need to understand the state union agreement the legislature has just approved and what it means for them. While one union leader called it “the best and longest public-sector pension and healthcare contract in the country,” its far-reaching budgetary consequences will likely not draw such enthusiasm from Connecticut taxpayers.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Use new sales tax revenues to exempt Social Security from state income tax
I am disappointed that the General Assembly passed the state employee concession contracts. I believe that may have broken the back of Connecticut. I will state the obvious. The Democrats who voted to pass the contracts have also voted for tax increases to pay for those contracts and for the seemingly unending flow of taxpayer dollars into cities.
Posted inMoney, Politics
After day of drama, Senate Democrats unite to back concessions
On a tie-breaking vote by Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, the Senate gave final approval Monday to a state-employee concessions deal after Democratic leaders mollified three dissenting colleagues with a promise to make a good-faith effort for fiscal reforms.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
On concessions deal: Why the same powerless position?
As Connecticut senators vote on a labor “concessions” deal, the irony is that even greater savings can be achieved without any deal at all. Gov. Dannel Malloy claims to have extracted $715 million in wage savings over two years through a “wage freeze.” Yet, without any deal, he could achieve $770 million in wage savings. The simple truth is that wages can only be raised by contract. No contract, no raises.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
The state employee concession agreement is not just legal — it’s moral
The state House of Representatives took a significant step July 24 toward solving Connecticut’s fiscal crisis by ratifying a concessions deal with the state workforce. The State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) agreement now heads to the state Senate for further consideration. If passed by the state Senate, the savings achieved by this historic deal are substantial and unprecedented.
Posted inMoney, Politics
With 3 still hedging, Senate to vote on concessions today
The trio of Democratic state senators moved as a tight knot through the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building, their mood seeming light when a reporter tried to press them on what comes next should they vote today to reject a state-employee concessions deal worth $1.57 billion to Connecticut’s overdue two-year budget. Yes, they can kill the deal, but then what?
Posted inCities & Towns, Education, Money, Politics
Budget standoff about to take a big toll on cities and towns
As Connecticut begins its second month without a state budget next week, the cost to cities and towns will take a big leap, topping $100 million.
Posted inMoney
AG opinion strikes middle ground on cutting wages, benefits
A formal opinion released Thursday by Attorney General George Jepsen warns of legal peril in rewriting state-employee contracts through legislation, but notes the free hand legislators have after contracts expire and the flexibility the courts have granted in some cases in the event of extreme fiscal emergencies.
Posted inMoney, Politics
House approves union concessions deal
The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives Monday evening narrowly approved the state employees’ concessions deal that is expected to save as much as $1.57 billion this fiscal year and next combined. The concessions package, which workers ratified earlier this month, tentatively is scheduled to go before the Senate on July 31.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A review of what legislature did this session to support women
What is the General Assembly’s record this year on addressing issues that affect women and girls disproportionately? The results are a mix of wins, losses and missed opportunities.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Aetna’s HQ move to New York is a loser for working families in both states
Last month, we learned that insurance giant Aetna, after operating in Hartford for 160 years, will move to New York. But Connecticut’s loss is not New York’s gain. In fact, it’s a losing proposition for working families in both states.
Posted inMoney, Politics
State employees overwhelmingly ratify concessions
Unionized state employees have voted by a wide margin to ratify the concession deal negotiated by the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, shifting the focus to a closely divided General Assembly, where Republicans say they will attempt to reject an agreement worth an estimated $1.57 billion over two years. More than 80 percent of the votes cast favored ratification.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Fasano urges Malloy to release union wage concession agreements now
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Senate Republican leader Len Fasano sparred Monday over the administration’s refusal to release tentative wage concessions agreements until after unionized employees have finished voting on them.
Posted inMoney
State workers to finish voting today on concessions deal
More than 40,000 workers were eligible to cast ballots. The outcome will have a major impact on the gridlocked budget debate now consuming the Capitol.