Sens. Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford and Reps. Christopher Perone, D-Norwalk, Terry Backer, D-Stratford and Kim Fawcett, D-Fairfield were among the group of self-described “moderate Democrats” who today wrote their caucus leaders urging they get to work on Connecticut’s budget crisis.
Here’s their letter to Senate President Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn and House Speaker Christopher Donovan, D-Meriden:
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March 9, 2010
Dear Senator Williams and Speaker Donovan:
We, the undersigned, write to you today in the hopes that our voices will help to spur action with regard to the current financial situation of our budget. According to the Comptroller’s office, the Office of Fiscal Analysis and the Office of Policy and Management, the budget for this fiscal year is over $500 million in deficit. The picture for fiscal year 2011 doesn’t look any brighter with even less good news for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. We need solutions NOW that do not exacerbate the problems that loom for the foreseeable future.
Our purpose is two-fold.
First, we respectfully request that the legislative leadership and governor’s office go to work right away on a resolution to this year’s shortfall. As you know, the governor recently unveiled her latest deficit mitigation package. While not perfect, it is a place to begin a dialogue. While no solution is easy or without pain, we all have a responsibility to the taxpayers of this state to get our fiscal house in order. The scope and proportions of our economic crisis demand urgent and coordinated action by both the legislature and the governor.
Second, and more importantly, we cannot support any further efforts to borrow our way out of the situation. On a per capita basis, Connecticut is one of the most indebted states in the nation and to continue to travel down that path is irresponsible and makes no long-term sense. Additional debt is not the answer. The only way we can responsibly address the current deficit is to immediately reduce spending.
We can no longer wait or hope for a miracle on Capitol Avenue. Times are tough. We stand, ready, willing and able to assist and provide the support for closing our deficits in a responsible way. There is no time to waste.
Sincerely,
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Senator Bob Duff
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Senator Gayle Slossberg
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Senator Joan Hartley
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Senator Paul Doyle
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Representative Linda Schofield
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Representative Kim Fawcett
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Representative Steve Mikutel
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Representative Terry Backer
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Representative Tom Drew
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Representative Elizabeth Esty
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Representative John Mazurek
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Representative Ted Moukawsher
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Representative Chris Wright
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Representative Chris Perone
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Representative Tom Reynolds
Oh well, there’s a list of the walking dead Democrats. They’re done. Imagine the gall of those people! Suggesting to address the budget problem. Political suicide under this management.
Comment by Pat — March 9th, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
Sounds like the TEA Partiers got to them. But Speaker Donovan will never agree to spending cuts when he has the long-elusive prize of a graduated income tax within his grasp.
Can these Democrats hope to win in November by running against their own leadership?
Comment by George — March 9th, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
I doubt the TEA Partiers have anything to do with this.
Some of these folks have been casting “no” votes against leadership priorities for a few sessions now, long before the TEA movement.
Comment by Brian Lockhart — March 9th, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
I am a Democrat and thrilled to see other Democrats finally stand up for what the state needs. COngratulations to these legislators who had the courage to speak up. More of this is needed when it comes to both the state General Assembly and Congress.
Comment by Mandy Perez — March 9th, 2010 @ 7:21 pm
Congratulations! It is time rank and file Democrats spoke up and made the state’s citizens priority the state General Assembly’s priorities.
Comment by Mandy Perez — March 9th, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
The Governor is supposed to be reducing the bureaucracy under last years budget agreement and yet the DEP is filling every top level job vacant after last years early retirement. There is no vision for the future and goal of saving taxpayer money at this agency. It is probably going on at all the other Agencies as well. The layoffs in July 2011 will of course affect all the low level staff that deliver direct public service. Our polititions are gutless.
Comment by JohnnyB — March 10th, 2010 @ 12:05 am
I would like to hear specifically what the Democrats sending the letter want to see cut. It’s easy to say cut, it’s a different story when you have to identify the cuts. Cut Education? Transportation? Aid to municipalities? Libraries? No one ever wants to cut these items. In the end, the cuts always disproportiately hit families who are the working poor or have lost their job.
Comment by Maggie — March 10th, 2010 @ 8:55 am
Mr. Lockhart, I noticed your comment above…that some of these Dems have been voting against leadership priorities. The public would be better served if you reviewed, in detail, their committee voting records. Some of these guys voted for tax increases, but they’re getting away with signing this thing. This letter is nothing more than campaign crap. They’re thinking about themselves, not the residents of Connecticut.
Comment by Rick Perez — March 10th, 2010 @ 11:26 am