Fasano Statement on Funding Restored to Watchdog Agencies

Hartford – Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s budget office restoring funding that was cut by the Governor to the state’s three watchdog agencies. The Governor’s office initially refused to restore the funding when the watchdog agencies pointed out a law that prohibits the governor from cutting from them. The reversal in Gov. Malloy’s position comes three days after Senator Fasano wrote to the Attorney General seeking a legal opinion as to whether Gov. Malloy had the legal authority to make such cuts.

“I’m glad that Gov. Malloy finally realizes how absurd and inappropriate his cuts to these three watchdog agencies were. The agencies raised an appropriate rejection to the Governor’s cuts. But instead of listening to them, he dismissed the concerns of the very agencies we have in place to protect the public’s trust. To see that a complete turnaround from the Governor’s office did not come until after I sought a formal opinion from the Attorney General on the matter is very telling. It’s sad that it took this long for the right decision to be made, but I appreciate the fact that the Governor reconsidered.”

“I will no longer pursue a formal opinion now that the issue has been resolved. I know some may view this as a tough call. However, next session I plan to talk to the Attorney General and look into legislation to strengthen the law so there are no ambiguities.”