Senator George S. Logan Releases Statement on Bipartisan Plan to Close 2017 State Budget Shortfall

HARTFORD, Conn. – Today State Senator George S. Logan (R-Ansonia) released the following statement regarding the approval of a bipartisan deficit mitigation plan to address the $317 million shortfall in the state budget for the current year which ends on June 30, 2017.

“Since I was sworn in I have been fighting to get Connecticut out of the fiscal mess we are in,” said Sen. Logan. “I have continually said that I will work across the aisle to help Connecticut families and that is exactly what was done today. Cuts toward the end of a fiscal year are tough to tackle, but we were able to work together and provide taxpayers with a plan to address our budget shortfall this year.”

The Senate’s changes will restore $19.4 million to municipalities by funding the June Pequot Payment, restore approximately $1 million in privately raised monies for state parks, and restore $1 million for employment opportunities and day services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hospitals will also be held harmless to cuts.

The state’s budget reserve fund maintains a balance of approximately $30 million under the Senate’s plan. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives.