As predicted, the Democrats came, they looked and they ran. House and Senate Democrats from the Super Majority met in Special Session for all of 15 minutes Tuesday at the State Capitol and took no action on a $625 million deficit. Governor M. Jodi Rell, who called the session, had whittled some of the deficit down under her limited authority, leaving the Democrats to come up with ways to mitigate the remaining $326 million shortfall

House Republican Leader Larry Cafero, R-Norwalk, had the full contigent of GOP lawmakers ready to work. And after repeated inquiries of House Speaker Chris Donovan, D-Meriden, it became apparent that the Democrats were simply going to pray, pledge allegance to the flag, offer condolences to the late chief of the Capitol Police force, and then adjourn.

Outside the House chamber, Cafero was furious with the Democrats indifference to the state’s fiscal plight.

“This was a slap in the face to every citizen and taxpayer of the state,” said Cafero. “We need to do something – now!”

In her statement, Gov. Rell was equally appalled.

“The Legislature must act quickly to reduce this deficit – before the end of the calendar year,” the Governor said. “And when lawmakers do act, they must eliminate the deficit through real, lasting and achievable reductions in state spending. I will not sign any legislation that attempts to reduce the deficit by increasing taxes or additional borrowing.”

Rell noted that State Treasurer Denise Nappier, a Democrat, has warned that the state could suffer future downgrades of its already weak bond rating, which could add another $80 million in costs.

And as for calls by many non-profit organizations and Democratic-front groups to raise more taxes to cover the debt, Governor Rell gave a blunt response.

 “The new taxes and fee increases contained in the current budget are not generating the levels of revenue they were predicted to bring in, so why would even higher taxes be the answer now?” the Governor said.

It  is unclear if the Democratic Super Majority will take any action before the regular session convenes in February. Donovan has implied that the Governor’s mitigation plan would lead to the termination of 5,000 state workers will shredding the social safety net.