Fasano Asks Gov. Malloy to Call Special Session to Restore Medicare Savings Program Funding

December 13, 2017

Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) today sent the following letter to Governor Dannel P. Malloy regarding a special legislative session to restore funding for the Medicare Savings Program.

Dear Governor Malloy:

In light of your statement released on December 12, 2017. I want to make my position clear. Although I fervently believe that the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate can call us into Special Session as provided for in C.G.S. 2-7, the Democratic leadership does not believe they have that authority. As a result, there are only two (2) methodologies for which Special Session may be called: 1) by you, acting as Governor (C.G.S. 2-7); or 2) a petition signed by 51% of the members of the House and 51% of the members of the Senate (C.G.S. 2-6). If it is done by a petition, once the required signatures are received, the Secretary of the State must schedule Special Session between 10 – 15 days after receiving the required number of signatures. All four (4) caucuses are getting the signatures and will be able to complete the task this week.

However, it seems more prudent and expeditious if you were to call us into Special Session on December 19, 2017, a date Republicans and Democrats have agreed to, we can quickly fix the MSP and “do the jobs [we] were elected to do.” As far as fixing the deficit, once we receive your Deficit Mitigation Plan and have the opportunity to review the same in detail, I believe Republicans, Democrats and your office can sit down together, again, and figure out a solution to that deficit. However, the pressing issue now before us is the MSP and, since we all agree it needs to be fixed, it seems eminently logical for you to use your power and call us into Special Session and bring relief to seniors who are very anxious about the issue.

Based upon the facts above and the restrictions I mention, I hope you will reconsider your statement of December 12, 2017, and issue a new statement calling us into Special Session on December 19, 2017.

Sincerely,

Len Fasano