Governor Rell Vetoes Budget Implementer

Rejects Bill Exempting Judicial Branch from

‘Other Expenses’ Cuts; Signs Remaining Budget Bills

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that she has vetoed House Bill 7006, An Act Implementing Certain Provisions of the Budget Concerning General Government, saying she cannot allow one branch of government to be exempt from budget cuts that are affecting everyone else or permit new spending amid a still-growing deficit.

            “It is regrettable that the once again the Legislature has shown its inability to control spending, even in the face of the state Comptroller’s warning that the budget, passed less than a month ago, could already be in deficit,” Governor Rell said. “Nor can I accept budget language that sets incredibly ambitious spending reduction targets and then ties the hands of my Administration in trying to reach them.”

            Among other provisions, HB 7006 would have exempted the Judicial Branch from budgeted reductions in the Other Expenses budget line. In letters September 23 and September 30, Governor Rell and her budget chief warned legislative leaders that a number of provisions in the bill were unacceptable.

            “We cannot enact legislation, regardless of how well intentioned, without considering the economic climate that this state faces,” the Governor said. “We cannot afford earmarks that favor specific organizations to the detriment of open competition and entrepreneurship. Most importantly, we cannot ask our taxpayers to shoulder the burden of new programs during these unprecedented economic times.”

            Governor Rell today signed the other budget implementer bills passed Friday: Senate Bills 2052 and 2053 and House Bills 7005 and 7007.