Republican Proposals are About Protecting Jobs, Not Hurting State Employees

Hartford – Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding the Legislative Democrats’ press conference preceding today’s Appropriations Committee Public Hearing.

“After an election full of promises by Democrats to make structural changes to government we see a complete rejection of the very notion that change is needed. Without even listening to testimony, Democrats held a press conference to dismiss the need to change direction, abandoning their campaign messages from just a few months ago. Sure they’ve talked about reining in spending, pension reform and making our state more affordable for businesses, job creators and middle class families. But that was clearly all talk. Instead of structural changes, to no one’s surprise, their preferred course of action appears to be tax increases, tolls and more burdens on municipalities. This press conference shows that the sole purpose of today’s hearing is not to listen and have a real discussion about actual structural changes, but to make a political statement. They’ve already prejudged these ideas and oppose them. So why even have a hearing with nearly 100 bills? Simple, it’s all a part of painting a narrative to distract from the fact that their policies have created an environment where state jobs are now at risk. They bring in private unions to defend state employee unions, using people who have lower benefits to advocate for state benefits that far exceed what union workers in the private sector receive. Their actions show that they care more about politics than people, and more about power than change.”

Sen. Fasano also addressed the intent of legislation offered by Senate Republican leaders before the Appropriations Committee today.

“The proposals before Appropriations today are not about hurting state employees, they are about protecting employees, preventing layoffs and ensuring the state can keep the pension promises it has already made. State employees need to know that the current structure is unsustainable and puts their jobs at risk. That’s not fair. Republicans don’t want to see massive layoffs. But unless we make changes to the system, the governor has made it clear that people will lose their jobs. It won’t be the top union employees going, it will be the newer, often younger employees. It will be people who may have just started a family or purchased their first home. Their jobs should not be sacrificed just so union leaders can maintain every single benefit in place today. I know what the rhetoric is, but we have to look at the reality. Either we make smart changes to rein in costs, or state employees will be the ones who suffer most.”