We have experienced difficult economic cycles in the past. However, the magnitude and depth of this economic crisis is unprecedented and frightening for Connecticut residents. In just a few short months, state surpluses have turned into sharp deficits that grow on a monthly basis. What appeared to be a $300 million deficit has turned into a nearly $600 million shortfall. The current projected 2010 deficit has grown to $2 and ½ billion, $3.2 billion in 2011 and $3.2 billion in 2012. When a previous legislature was confronted with huge deficits in the early 1990’s, it immediately drew down its reserve account, the rainy day fund. This action did little to reduce the high structural costs embedded in running state government and resulted in the enactment of our unpopular state income tax. Consequently, Connecticut went from being ranked the 20th tax burden state to the 2nd state and local tax burdened state in the country.

I agree with Governor Rell in her call to halt excessive state spending in the face of negative revenue growth. Families and businesses throughout the district are making sacrifices and cutting their budgets to survive these challenging times. In an effort to stem the tide of these mounting deficits, the Governor called a special session to take immediate action. Some non-controversial measures, low hanging fruit, included a tax amnesty plan, the delay of some new initiatives and reductions in what departments could carry forward from the previous year have been taken by the legislature. The majority leadership would not consider other more serious proposals offered by the other side that would consolidate boards and commissions, extend Governor’s recession powers, delay or remove new mandates on towns and boards of education, increase co- pays of the state’s extremely generous health plan or offer early retirement to state employees. This is unfortunate, as the easy measures taken still leave a $300 million shortfall on the table that must be addressed. Decisions that are much more painful still need to be made. These pale in comparison to the painful decisions being made by families confronting the loss of jobs, loss of home equity, and reductions to retirement and college accounts that have taken a lifetime to build up.

As we look ahead, the need for fiscal responsibility is greater than ever. Tax increases are not an option, as our residents cannot bare the tax burden they are already have.

Times of severe financial constraints offer an opportunity to make our state local communities more efficient. The Governor is eliciting suggestions to streamline state government on her web site. Some suggestions offered by the public include; moratorium on state grants, privatizing transit districts, tax fast foods, increase taxes on alcohol, reduced state employee benefits, eliminate boards and commissions and longevity payments, allow alcohols sales on Sunday, install tolls, outsource some state functions, cut state printing costs, eliminate pagers and beepers, enforce speed limit and increase fines, offer more early retirement. I would encourage you to add your voice to the many that have taken the time to add their ideas in an effort to achieve budget savings.

The Governor has taken the maximum cost reductions allowed by law and the legislature, along party lines, refused to increase her authority. This decision puts the responsibility for further reductions squarely in the lap of the legislature. An unknown person once said “is careful what you ask for you may get it”. We now have it. A small step was taken on Nov. 24 to start to address budget shortfalls but the major issues have yet to be resolved. There should be no recess. These financial problems will be with us for some time and our responsibility to meet on a continuing and bi partisan basis to enact responsible budget reductions should not be delayed until the seating of the new legislature.

If you have thoughts on our budget deficit, other issues before the legislature have a local issue of concern or just do not know where to turn, please feel free to send me your thoughts and suggestions. Please contact me at toni.boucher@cga.ct.gov, toniboucher@aol.com, 203-762-3232. I look forward to any comments or questions that you may have.