General Assembly approves two bills in one-day special session
By ConnPolitics.tv Editor on Nov 25, 2008 | In News, State Budget | 2 feedbacks »
Hartford (AP) – State legislators have taken a $300 million bite out of the state’s budget deficit by passing a mid-year mitigation plan. But officials say it won’t be enough to mop up all of Connecticut’s growing pool of red ink.
Legislative leaders say deeper state budget cuts are on the horizon.
The plan approved Monday is based mostly on a proposal offered last month by Gov. M. Jodi Rell. It covers $300 million of the state’s budget deficit with an additional $157 million in federal Medicaid funds, a new tax amnesty program for delinquent state taxpayers and nearly $72 million in spending cuts and delays.
A second bill is aimed at helping struggling cities and towns.
It will allow municipalities to join forces and make group purchases through the state’s Department of Administrative Services to save money. It also would establish one-time local tax amnesty programs, and provide protections for tenants living in foreclosed properties.
The bills now go to Governor Rell for her signature or veto.
Despite their passage, the current fiscal year budget is still expected to be at least $250 million deficit. The next two fiscal years are projected to be $6 billion in deficit.
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