State Senator John A. Kissel, R-Enfield, said that today’s announcement by Gov. M. Jodi Rell that the state’s projected budget deficit for FY 2010 of approximately $2.6 billion is well beyond what most experts predicted just two months ago. Sen. Kissel said that the legislature must work with the governor to do everything possible to weather this massive fiscal storm.

“It is clear that we need to do everything we can to stretch the dollar as far as it can go,” said Sen. Kissel. “Today’s announcement by Gov. Rell underscores the challenges we face as we head into the next fiscal year. These projections far surpass earlier estimates of a $1 billion deficit. Now we are talking about a deficit over two and a half times that amount. It’s very challenging news.”

According to Gov. Rell and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) the deficit is based on the amount it will cost for state government to maintain services and programs at their existing levels over the next two years. Sen. Kissel said that because of this all cost saving measures must be looked at to help reduce costs to the state.

“This is something we have not experienced here in Connecticut in a very long time. The slowdown in the national economy is having a rippling effect across our nation and while our economy is outperforming the economies of other states, Connecticut is not immune to the adverse financial ramifications of this recession,” said Sen. Kissel. “We need to act responsibly. I agree with Gov. Rell that all cost saving measures must be put on the table. It is going to be a challenge, but I am confident that we will be able to meet this challenge.”