Governor Rell Calls for Start of Budget Negotiations

‘Time to Turn Attention to Single Greatest Issue Facing Session – Indeed, One of Greatest Tests Facing State in Many Years,’ Governor Says

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today wrote legislative leaders and the heads of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Finance committees, saying face-to-face budget talks should begin before the month ends – far earlier than in most years.

            “I know that each of you feels – as I do – the need to do everything in our power to help the people most affected by this downturn and to keep – and improve – the positive business climate in our state,” Governor Rell said. “It is critical that as leaders we now turn our attention to the single greatest issue facing this legislative session – indeed, one of the greatest tests facing our state in many years, perhaps decades: writing a fair, balanced, two-year budget in a time of extraordinary challenges without adding to the already wearisome burdens borne by our taxpayers and our employers.

            “The challenge before us is enormous. So, too, are the opportunities,” the Governor said. “Together we must not only craft a budget that preserves the most essential state services during a time of economic difficulty without causing added pain on taxpayers and employers but one that positions our state to be the national leaders it should be – and must be – when the economy once more begins to thrive.”

            In her letter, Governor Rell noted that legislative leaders pledged in January to move the deadlines for both the Appropriations Committee and the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee up by two weeks – from mid-April to April 2 and April 3, respectively.

            In addition, the deadline for the Appropriations Committee to review unappropriated state funds for $220 million in savings, as required under the Legislature’s deficit mitigation plan passed February 25, is March 25. The Governor has assigned two top Administration officials to work with the committee on that task.

            “It is now time for all of us – including the Lieutenant Governor, the leaders of the four legislative caucuses and the chairs and ranking members of the Appropriations and Finance committees – to begin the process of open, frank and face-to-face discussions on a mutually acceptable budget to help our state through the next two fiscal years,” Governor Rell said. “The citizens of our state deserve no less and our calling as leaders demands no less. I look forward to beginning this process in a spirit of bipartisanship and a shared desire to do what is right for Connecticut – now and in the future.”