Gov. M. Jodi Rell has offered a detailed plan to cut the close to $600 million budget deficit for the current two-year state fiscal plan agreed to in September.  Gov. Rell has taken the leadership steps needed to reduce the flow of red ink and to put Connecticut’s fiscal house in order.

While the Democratic-Super Majority in the House and Senate conduct hearings on the impact of their Great Recession on children and families, the working families of our state who are hanging on by a thread demand action.

How can anyone take House Speaker Chris Donovan, D-Meriden and Senate President Don Williams, D-Brooklyn, seriously until they commit to getting down to business on December 15^th at the State Capitol? Sources say Donovan doesn’t want to hold anything more than a “technical session” which means there will be no action on the Gov. Rell deficit reduction plan.

What will be the effect of this dereliction of duty by the Democrats?

It will damage the credit worthiness of the state. Both Fitch and Moody’s rating agencies have degraded Connecticut’s bonding rate to a Triple A negative, making it the fourth worst bond rating among all 50 states. That means in a few months, if nothing is done about cutting the budget, Connecticut could have its bond rated downgraded. That would have a calamitous effect on the state’s ability to borrow short and long term money.

Not cutting the budget will also put Connecticut in a possible cash crunch. Since taxable receipts are down, way down, from estimates, it is conceivable that the state could run out of cash to meet daily operating expenses.  That would leave Connecticut with dwindling financial options including emergency cuts, payment vouchers or more expensive interest.

GOP House Leader Larry Cafero and Senate Leader John McKinney have offered other initiatives to cut spending, trying to cut the short and long term expenses of state government. Gov. Rell’s proposals are across the board and address the immediate problems. The Rell cuts also include $87 million in reductions to cities and towns.

Yet, the Democrats offer nothing but vague mumblings about the seriousness of the budget figures. Why are they frozen with inaction? What are they hiding from?

Being in the Majority has its privileges and its responsibilities. It seems the Democrats simply want to enjoy their titles, offices, staff and other perks, including paid for mail where they boast of all the good things they have done for the taxpayers.

It is time for the Democrats to wake up and act like adults. Let’s get to the task at hand before Connecticut goes broke.

Call Speaker Donovan and Senate President Williams and tell them it’s time to start FIXING the budget.

Donovan: 860-240-8500

Williams: 860-240-8600