Senate Republicans Urge Democrats to Focus on GOP Budget Ideas

Hartford – Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) and Senate Minority Leader Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos (R- Canton) are asking for legislative Democrats to join them in revisiting the Republican “Blueprint for Prosperity” budget plan. The Senate Republican leaders believe the budget approved by the legislature should be scrapped, either by a gubernatorial veto or through legislative action, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle should come together to reexamine the Republican budget as a starting place to a viable, bipartisan solution.

“In light of the fact that the budget was met with less than glowing accolades from businesses, hospitals, families, and many Democrats who voted against the budget to make it the closest budget vote in years, let’s take the time to revisit another option. Republicans have presented a budget plan that restores funding for important safety net services without raising taxes. It helps businesses, hospitals, and middle class families. Today, it remains the best solution for our state on the table,” said Sen. Fasano and Sen. Witkos.

“Governor Malloy is using Democrats in Connecticut as pawns while he plays his cards on the national political scene. As he travels from state to state taking credit for a progressive track record of policies that were developed and championed in the legislature by Democrat Senators and Representatives, he is throwing Democrats here at home under the bus. He is backpedaling on the budget negotiated between his office and those same Democrat lawmakers who have helped him achieve his ‘liberal rockstar status.’ If the governor were serious about making changes to the budget, he would be sitting down with Democrats and Republicans alike to negotiate real changes, not throwing out his ideas to the press before meeting with legislative leaders.

“Instead the governor has used Democrats in our state to propel himself forward. Now, he no longer needs them and has abandoned them with a poor budget leaving them all vulnerable to tough reelections. We hope Democrats in our state are beginning to realize they are only pawns in the governor’s national playbook. Instead of focusing on Governor Malloy’s political future, Democrats need to focus on our state’s future. It’s time to put politics aside and work with lawmakers across the aisle to reassess this damaging budget.

“We still believe the best option is to reject the budget approved by the legislature and start anew. If Democrats are open to change, let’s talk.”