Sen. Fasano: New Legislative Leaders Must Join Together ASAP to Hammer Out Budget Solutions

November 19, 2014

Hartford – In light of the state’s declining cash position and State Treasurer Denise Nappier’s announcement to transfer money from bond proceeds to help cover operating expenses, State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven), incoming Senate Minority Leader, today wrote to Connecticut incoming legislative leaders to call for meetings as soon as possible to collaborate on ways to help the state emerge from its fiscal crisis.

“As legislators, we should be doing more,” Sen. Fasano said in the Nov. 19 letter. “By working together now, we can review the state budget line by line and find significant savings. Saving a dollar now can end up saving taxpayers large amounts of money over the long-term. It’s common sense, and we can do this in a bipartisan fashion.”

In the letter, Sen. Fasano cited the state’s current fiscal condition, noting the current $99 million budget deficit and the multi-billion dollar deficits that the state must confront in the future. He commended Gov. Malloy on using his rescissionary authority to make budget cuts.

Sen. Fasano also highlighted a Nov. 18 letter from the State Treasurer which discussed how the state’s cash position has declined and how money has been transferred from bond proceeds to help cover operating expenses. He said the treasurer’s action adds to the urgency to address the state’s financial pressures.

“As of January 7, we will be the new legislative leaders at the State Capitol,” Sen. Fasano said. “Tremendous challenges lie ahead of us. We have a responsibility to set the tone for 2015 and beyond. Let’s get in a room together and get to work now. Facing our problems as soon as possible, in a productive and constructive way, is the right thing to do.”