Fasano, Witkos: Malloy Backpedaling Reaffirms Budget Needs to Be Vetoed

Malloy Proposals NOT Enough, All Lawmakers Need a Seat at the Table

Hartford – Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) and Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) released the following statement in response to the governor’s proposals to change the state budget through the implementer bill.

“The governor is now in a full retreat from his budget. He’s got one foot out the door headed to Europe as he backpedals on policies that he and the Democrat leaders are responsible for. Still, his proposed changes are not nearly enough and don’t reflect the broad changes we need.

“The governor has a choice now. The right choice is to veto this budget and start from scratch. You should not implement broad sweeping policy changes through an implementer. That keeps the discussion in the shadows behind closed doors. The governor needs to summon up the courage to veto this budget and reopen negotiations in the light of day with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle at the table. If there was bipartisan inclusion earlier we wouldn’t be in the mess we are today.

“Over the past week the governor has insulted our state’s largest employers, small businesses, hospitals, and taxpayers from all walks of life by dismissing concerns. The press and the public have pounced on the outrageous and awful policy choices made in this budget by the governor’s office and Democrat leaders. Now the governor is changing his message. Clearly the voice of the people cannot be ignored and has been felt by the governor. We know the voices of the more than 14,000 people who signed our petition opposing this budget agree. But if we want serious change, manipulating the implementer is not the best path. A new budget, negotiated with all parties in the room, is the only true solution that can send a strong message that Connecticut is open to change. If the governor were really listening he would veto this budget so that we can start anew.”