Connecticut Legislature Adopts Budget Plan To Close This Year's Deficit

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- A budget plan was reached in the Connecticut General Assembly Tuesday that mostly closes shortfalls in the state's budget this fiscal year, The Connecticut Mirror reported.

State Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk and Darien) announced a bipartisan budget agreement was reached among the General Assembly Tuesday.
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Donna Christopher

03/30/2016 10:30 a.m.

The voting results were 127 to 16 in the House in approval of the plan, a decision occurring an hour and a half after it was adopted in the Senate in a 33 to 2 vote, according to The Connecticut Mirror.

Although the legislation takes away the $220 million shortfall for the fiscal year concluding June 30, greater deficits are not reduced immediately, said The Connecticut Mirror.

Accounts not associated with the budget and one-time sources of revenue made up $87.2 million of the $220 million deficit, or 40 percent, The Connecticut Mirror reported.

The balance of the remaining $133 million in reductions comes from cuts to programs applicable only to this year, said the report.

Some lawmakers related that the reductions will be used again upon spring adjustments to the upcoming fiscal year's budget, 2016-17, said The Connecticut Mirror.

Yet bipartisan leaders lauded the plan, arguing it closes the present deficit, repairs deficits for the future, and should initiate the payout of $140 million due to hospitals that was held back by the Malloy administration, said The Connecticut Mirror.

Click here to read The Connecticut Mirror story.

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