A handful of state legislators, including House Speaker Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden and House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, made their way into an otherwise quiet capitol just after 4 p.m. this afternoon to hold a so-called technical session of the General Assembly.
The purpose of the gathering? To formally close-out the special budget session convened in late September and early October to vote on a variety of bills implementing the Democratic-majority’s two year spending plan.
Such tech sessions are just that – technical formalities that entail a quick vote and everyone goes home.
But Cafero took the opportunity to urge Democrats to instead keep the session open-ended so the full General Assembly could soon address the ongoing budget crisis, including a rising deficit and recently-announced troubles involving Connecticut’s credit-rating.
“It to me is imperative we as a legislative body get together and handle this crisis,” Cafero told the small audience of colleagues, along with two GOP staffers who were filming his comments. “We have a responsibility to prepare this state for the worst.”
Donovan and the few Democrats present did not respond, and simply voted in favor of ending the special session. Cafero voted “no” and this year’s historic budget battle concluded with a whimper.
Donovan afterward told reporters there is currently no business before the legislature requiring the special session remain open.
“We could come in at some point but we don’t have special sessions just maybe,” Donovan said. “There’s nothing before us right now.”
He downplayed Cafero’s concerns about the fiscal crisis, arguing he was more optimistic about the financial outlook of the state and country.
Donovan said he knew Cafero planned to make a statement but was unaware the Minority Leader was going to vote “no” against ending the technical session.
