A tentative concessions framework between Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state employee unions took a step forward Monday with the news that all bargaining units have agreed to submit the proposed concessions to a vote by rank-and-file members. Ballots are expected to be cast in mid- or late July.
State Budget
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Prolonged CT budget standoff will hurt towns, disabled, needy
A prolonged state budget fight inevitably would force cuts both to town aid and to social services for the most vulnerable, even though those programs would be prioritized, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget director said.
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Sales tax hike remains in play as CT budget talks drag on
As legislators struggle to find enough spending cuts to offset a major projected deficit, House Democrats continue to talk about increasing one of the state’s two major taxes — the sales levy.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy: Even a temporary CT budget must be balanced
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy had a warning Thursday for legislators considering enacting a temporary budget to guide state finances after July 1 in lieu of the real thing. Do it right or don’t do it at all.
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Cities, towns ask state leaders in TV ad, ‘Are you listening?’
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities is pressing state officials to deliver a budget that protects cities and towns, unveiling a television commercial Monday that suggests the legislature’s inaction could cost people their homes.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Without a CT budget by July 1, the options are all bad
With just 15 days left in the outgoing fiscal year — and a $2.3 billion deficit looming after that — gridlocked legislators’ inability to adopt a new budget has huge repercussions across a wide spectrum. Big question marks hang over some social services for children, the poor and disabled, as well as aid to cities and towns.
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Budget talks testy as deadline inches closer
Talks between Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative leaders are growing testy as Connecticut inches closer to a June 30 deadline to craft a budget for the next two fiscal years. “My gut reaction is we’re going to get past July 1” without a budget, Senate Republican President Pro Tem Len Fasano said.
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Malloy tries to focus budget talks with a veto threat
Never coming close to resolving a budget crisis in the five-month regular session that ended Wednesday night, the General Assembly and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy now will try again in special session, burdened by the knowledge that neither chamber has a reliable working majority on the question of how to fund Connecticut’s government.
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With the parties dug in, what will happen with budget talks now?
With the regular General Assembly session over, and a budgetary nightmare just 23 days away, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and legislative leaders no longer can avoid one huge question: Should they continue with bipartisan budget talks, or is it time for Democrats and Republicans to go their separate ways?
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GOP forces debate, but no vote, on budget, revamping labor laws
Updated at 11 p.m.
Senate Republicans used the final night of the 2017 session to make a political statement, forcing a debate on their budget plan, which would dramatically reshape Connecticut’s labor laws.
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Analyses show concessions would save $24B over two decades
The tentative concessions framework struck by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and state employee union leaders would save $4.8 billion over the next five years and $24.1 billion over the next two decades, according to analyses prepared by the administration, Connecticut pension actuaries and its healthcare consultant.
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Pot legalization measure bogs down in partisan feud
The legislature provided the latest example from a dysfunctional session Monday as a bipartisan effort to legalize recreational marijuana broke down minutes before its public announcement.
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Amid budget crisis, House passes plan to let towns adjust tax bills
The House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Saturday to help cities and towns adjust their property tax bills as the state’s budget crisis plays out in the coming weeks or months.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Has crumbling foundations bailout become a political football?
Eleven Republican representatives accused House Democratic leadership Friday of using more than 34,000 homes with crumbling foundations as political leverage to secure GOP votes for the next state budget.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Is 2017 CT legislature on the brink of gridlock?
The 2017 legislative session teetered on the brink of gridlock Friday as House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz accused Republicans of unfairly dodging all tough choices amidst a huge state budget crisis.