Sen. Fasano Statement on Senate Passage of Governor’s State Employee Concessions Deal

July 31, 2017

HartfordSenate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding the state Senate’s vote today approving the state employee union concessions deal negotiated by Governor Dannel P. Malloy.

“Once again, Connecticut Democrats have put our state on the wrong path. Accepting this deal will hamstring our state for the next 10 years and leave us with no ability to streamline government in challenging financial times. Lawmakers did the same thing in 2011 and clearly never learned their lesson. I want to be abundantly clear; this deal will leave our state limited options to deal with all future financial challenges. It means a sales tax increase, an increase in property taxes and a decrease in funding for core social services. All you have to do is look at the budget outlines released by Democrats thus far to see that fact plain and simple. Those who voted in favor of this agreement have acquiesced and endorsed a path that will lead to significant tax increases and deep cuts to services for the most vulnerable. They have locked our state into a deal that takes away our flexibility to achieve a budget that truly protects the most vulnerable and middle class. For these same lawmakers to argue they won’t vote for a tax increase is disingenuous, because with this vote the die is cast.

“Connecticut Senate Republicans continue to stand ready to hear Democrat lawmakers’ ideas and hope to see a complete budget proposal from them soon. I have doubts that they will be sharing a budget that protects municipalities, protects core social services and does not significantly increase taxes, but Senate Republicans remain open to conversation as we have always been – although our attempts to negotiate together have been ignored. Rejecting this concessions deal would have left us more options to resolve our budget deficit together and protect all taxpayers including the most vulnerable. But that’s sadly not what happened today. I’m disappointed and frustrated about what this means for our future. I believe approving this deal was the wrong decision for our state.”